Definition of metaphysical poetry?
Metaphysical poetry is a group of
poems that share common
characteristics: they are all highly
intellectualized, use rather strange
imagery, use frequent paradox and
contain extremely complicated thoughts.
A group of Poets were emerged in the 16th century.whose poetry identified as metaphysical poetry. It was dr. Samuel Johnson who was a classicist of the neo classical age who named poetry of donne and his school also. Johnson used terms while writing about the life of Abraham cowley his biographical work with the title "THE LIVES OF THE ENGLISH POETS" with the passing of time the same term became the term of appraisal for their poetry.
What does metaphysical mean?
The word 'meta' means 'after,' so the literal translation of
'metaphysical' is 'after the physical.' Basically, metaphysics deals with
questions that can't be explained by science. It questions the nature of
reality in a philosophical way.
• Here are some common metaphysical questions:
• Does God exist?
• Is there a difference between the way things appear to us and the way
they really are? Essentially, what is the difference between reality and
perception?
• Is everything that happens already predetermined? If so, then is free
choice non-existent?
• Is consciousness limited to the brain?
Metaphysics can cover a broad range of topics from religious to
consciousness; however, all the questions about metaphysics ponder
the nature of reality. And of course, there is no one correct answer to
any of these questions. Metaphysics is about exploration and
philosophy, not about science and math.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTIC OF METAPHYSICAL POETRY
EASY IN THE TRIAL OF FINGER FAILED IN LISTENING
This is the most important characteristic of metaphysical poetry. The metaphysical poetry are easy in the trial of finger, but it also can be hard to listening, to understand this sentence we
take example of a 'Flea' which is written by John donne.
Conscious Attempt
All the metaphysical poets made conscious attempts to differ from the poetry of former Poets and their writings. They try to differ both in the manner and manner of writing of poetry.
They use this characteristics because readers can notice it. One critic HELEN C WHITE mentions that it was a demand of a time for the metaphysical to differ from the Poets of the previous age. Had they continue writing poetry in the same manner just like the former Poets their poetry would have been rejected. Due to new learning and reformation of the Elizabethan age.
We can say that the metaphysical poet are different from the early Poets now the readers may raised the question that
How are metaphysical Poets different?
They used far-fetched images in their poetry.
The early Poets took the subject related field in their poetry. When the metaphysical Poets were brought the images which are not usually connected. We can take an example of the Flea where Donne talks about love where he uses a Flea as a symbol.
In the poem to his coy mistress by D.G rossetti in brief all the metaphysical Poets use the FAR FETCHED IMAGES in their poetry.
In order to express either love or their faith in Christianity. They brought their images from different fields. Just like biology, architecture, Engineering, Agriculture, Geometry , and even political science. This gives a unique identity to their poetry.
No use of music
In metaphysical poetry the poet wrote a poem without music and without image.
Display of scholarship
All the metaphysical displays their scholarship through their poems, university graduates and men of learning.
Intellectual level
Metaphysical poets tried to be intellectual. For understanding a poem we have to be mental
exercise. The intellectual level of a poet went upward, so metaphysics poets tried to be intellectual to write poetry.
Different themes of poetry:
In metaphysical poetry religion is not the only theme of metaphysical poetry. Love is also theme of metaphysical poem
Highly physical
Though it is known as metaphysical poetry they tried to be highly physical also.
Use of Geometrical images
Between the creator and the creation Andrew Marwell use of geometrical images for the expression of love .
Deals with thought feelings
Metaphysics also deals with thoughts and feelings.
Highly ambiguous
Metaphysical poetry is considered highly
ambiguous due to high intellect and
knowledge of metaphysical poets.
Example of some poem:
First example is the poem of John Donne who made use of biological images in his poem A Flea for the expression of love.
Second example is a poem by George Herbert. He made use of an image from the field of mechanical engineering. For the expression of his faith in Christianity. The example in the poem with the title of the pulley.which creates connections between creator and creation. Pulley is an image of engineering but in his poem it is used to restlessness.
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