Isola rajagopalan editor in chief, shanlax international journal of english introduction english metaphysical poetry is the richest and most widely ranging in the language. The essay investigates the metaphysical poetry by rational discussion based on its phenomena rather than by intuition. Griersons edition of metaphysical lyrics and poems of the 17th century. Gardner, helen, the metaphysical poets, london oxford university press, 1961, 1967. In the garden, for example, marvell uses metaphors, similes, and other images to describe metaphysical concepts, thus making intangible things seem more approachable and comprehensible to his average reader. John milton, thomas carew, sir william davenant, henry vaughan, andrew marvell, george herbert, sir walter ralegh, robert southwell, john donne and richard crashaw are some of the 17th century poets who became known as metaphysical. Metaphysical poetrymid16th century mid17th century 2. Luckily, you have no time in an exam for a lengthy discussion. John donnes poems are some of the most passionate and profound to b. In his life of cowley 1779 johnson stated that about the beginning of the. Metaphysical poetry eludes all attempts at definition, and the critics have. Herbert griersons metaphysical lyrics and poems of the seventeenth century 1921 was important in defining the metaphysical canon.
Johnson commented in the lives of the poets with reference to cowley, that about the beginning of the seventeenth century appeared a race of writers. In fact, the term metaphysical is almost a misnomer here. Stronglined was the term used by the contemporaries of the poets in question and helen gardner adopts it. A comparative study of amichai, one of israels leading poets and the most translated one, and the english metaphysical poets of the 17th century, notably donne, may help us to appreciate and to. The metaphysical poets by helen gardner ed abebooks. The metaphysical poets were in no way a selfproclaimed poetic school or movement. Metaphysical poetry is a term applied to many poets who wrote in a rather difficult and abstract. Metaphysical poetry definitions, notes and objective questions. You should know this, but the information in helen gardner s introduction to the metaphysical poets penguinis more than adequate.
Metaphysical poet, any of the poets in 17thcentury england who inclined to the personal and intellectual complexity and concentration that is displayed in the poetry of john donne, the chief of the metaphysicals. As with the romantics in the 19thc, these poets were individuals, who were. Argument and persuasion, and the use of the conceit as their. Nor were they all exact contemporaries of one another. The metaphysical poets by helen gardner, 9780140420388, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The term metaphysical when applied to poetry has a long and interesting history. He praises the metaphysical poets on the basis of their subjective matter and their poetry. None of them ever described themselves as metaphysical poets. The term metaphysical poets is believed to be coined by samuel. His two essays on the metaphysical poets and marvell are still excellent. What is our place within the world and how to best define that place. What are the characteristics of metaphysical poetry.
All the major features of this kind of poetry were so unique that even some terms have been derived to point exclusively towards these aspects. See more ideas about poetry, metaphysical poetry and john donne. Eliot 1993 similarly, helen gardner also expresses her view on the origin of the phrase metaphysical poets. Helen gardners metaphysical poets anthology, published in 1957, contained work by many more writers, including protometaphysical poets such as william shakespeare and sir walter raleigh, and even poems by the restoration libertine the earl of rochester. The hallmark of their poetry is the metaphysical conceit a figure of speech that employs unusual and paradoxical images, a reliance on intellectual wit, learned imagery, and subtle argument. The metaphysical poets, who wrote during the first three quarters of the 17th. Oct, 2016 4 how does a metaphysical poem usually begin. Metaphysical poetry the phrase metaphysical poetry is derived from the scornful remarks of some restoration or 18thcentury critics. In this important and influential anthology dame helen gardn. Eliot highlights the appreciative features of metaphysical poets according to his own perception. Herbert, marvell etc as metaphysical poets because they share common. The metaphysical poets, introduced and edited by helen gardner, revised edition, penguin books 1957, 1966 the business of criticism, oxford university press 1959, and reprints edwin muir. With their intricate arguments, startling conceits and dazzling wit, the seventeenthcentury poets who became known as metaphysical brought a new ingenuity and energy to english verse. Herbert considers mans duty to god in the collar and the pearl as does marvell in.
The metaphysical poets download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. For the metaphysical poets, the answer seems to lie in the use of imagery. Jul 29, 2019 the metaphysical poets were men of learning, and to show their learning was their whole endeavour. Strictly speaking, metaphysical means concerned with the fundamental problems of the nature of the. Thomas memorial lecture, university of wales press 1961. Metaphysical poetry definition what is metaphysical poetry. Much of their work calls for a this is a brilliant selection of metaphysical poems, with generous selections of john donne, george herbert, andrew marvell and henry vaughan alongside other. The metaphysical style had seen the flowering of half a dozen poets of genius who had in their different ways explored the boundaries of the physical and the spiritual. Metaphysical poets wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Taking up the philosophy of metaphysics, first set forth by. According to grierson, metaphysical poetry, in the full sense of the term, is a poetry. Sonnet, ode, elegy, epic, ballad, lyric, dramatic monologue. The metaphysical poets advanced level literature study guide.
Metaphysical poetry is selfconsciously difficult, demanding intellectual effort on the part of the. His love poems, the songs and sonets, were written in the same period and. The metaphysical poetry definition as he mentioned a small group of highly educated english poets of the 17th century and called it the metaphysical poets. Metaphysical poetry has been one of the most unique genres in english literature owing to a number of aspects. Helen gardner s metaphysical poets anthology, published in 1957, contained work by many more writers, including proto metaphysical poets such as william shakespeare and sir walter raleigh, and even poems by the restoration libertine the earl of rochester. The love poems by john donne the metaphysical poets by helen gardner paradise lost by. In the chapter on abraham cowley in his lives of the most eminent. The metaphysical poets have been a huge influence on 20th century english poetry, and it seems amazing that for a long time they were largely neglected.
The metaphysical poets are said to be witty and intellectual because of the typicalities present in their writings. Metaphysical poets, the selections naxos audiobooks. Metaphysical poets a group of 17thcentury poets whose works are marked by philosophical exploration, colloquial diction, ingenious conceits, irony, and metrically flexible lines. The phrase metaphysical poetry derives from the scornful remarks of some restoration and 18th century critics. Helen gardner too had noted the dramatic quality of this poetry as a personal address of. Metaphysical poets article about metaphysical poets by the. The poetry under scrutiny is not metaphysical in this sense. Eliot 1993 eliot, in fact, does not rule out the possibility that the designation may be a complete misnomer. Metaphysical poetry article about metaphysical poetry by. Much of their work calls for a this is a brilliant selection of metaphysical poems, with generous selections of john donne, george herbert, andrew marvell and henry vaughan alongside other poets many of whose poems are less familiar today. In the chapter on abraham cowley in his lives of the most eminent english poets 177981.
In this essay eliot argued that the works of these men embody a fusion of thought and feeling that later poets were unable to achieve because load next article. Metaphysical poetry metaphysical poetry in english literature the metaphysical poets were a group of 17thcentury poets who concerned themselves with the experience of man and the nature of being on the world. The term metaphysical poetry was first coined by samuel johnson, the famous poet and the critic, in his book named lives of the most eminent english poets. In the introduction to her collection of metaphysical poems, the. In addition, helen gardners metaphysical poets 1957 included protometaphysical writers such as william shakespeare and sir walter raleigh and, extending into the restoration, brought in edmund waller and. In her introduction gardner identifies two characteristics as the hallmark of the metaphysical poets, concision and the use of conceits. The term metaphysical poets was coined by the critic samuel johnson to describe a loose. John milton, thomas carew, sir william davenant, henry vaughan, andrew marvell, george herbert, sir walter ralegh, robert southwell, john donne, richard crashaw form part of the 17th century poets who became known as metaphysical. When the style was most vigorous in the seventeenth century, it brought forth the best erotic poetry and the best devotional poetry as well as the finest lyrics, satires, pastorals. Sep 14, 2017 john donne as a father of metaphysical poetry is highly read and referred when it comes to the use of metaphysical characteristics.
Topics of interest often included love, religion, and morality, which the metaphysical poets considered through unusual comparisons, frequently employing unexpected. Metaphysical poet now thou hast loved me one whole day, tomorrow when thou leavest, what wilt though say. Chapter iii ts eliot and metaphysical poetry shodhganga. Its quintessence or soul is the vivid imagining of a moment of experience or of a situation out of which the need to argue, or persuade, or define arises. Nearly all the poems printed here are relatively brief, and most of them use fairly simple verse forms, often with lines of varying length, contrasting with the stricter forms and rhymeschemes favoured by many sixteenth century poets such as wyatt and sidney. Helen gardners essay on john donne in twentieth century views. Similarly, helen gardner also expresses her view on the origin of the phrase metaphysical poets. Others include henry vaughan, andrew marvell, john cleveland, and abraham cowley as. A group of poets emerged in the beginning of the seventeenth century, whose poetry come to be known as the metaphysical poetry.
1515 1165 43 1359 1493 750 1095 771 1143 460 1005 245 1607 1420 740 1690 1139 1547 605 902 411 1608 192 838 167 579 1057 325 847 291 648 725 785 629