Renaissance PoetryRenaissance PoetryJohn DonneJohn Donne1572-16311572-1631

Metaphysical Poetry

Prose

OBJECTIVES

Develop strategies for reading and analyze metaphysical poetry

Interpret metaphysical conceits and paradoxes

Compare/contrast poetry styles

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What is the definition of metaphysical?– “of or relating to the transcendent”– “reality beyond what is perceptible”– “abstract and theoretical reasoning”

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What does transcendent mean? What does theoretical mean? What does devotional mean? What does mystical mean? Now define metaphysical poetry in your

own words. Share.

METAPHYSICAL

Transcendent-– Extending beyond the limits of ordinary experience and

knowledge Theoretical-

– Abstract, confined to speculation (ponder the possibility rather than able to demonstrate)

Devotional-– Religious

Mystical-– Spiritual communication with God

METAPHYSICAL

Now define metaphysical poetry in your own words. Share.

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What is the goal/purpose of the metaphysical poets?

What are the key characteristics of metaphysical poetry?

What were the primary criticisms made about the metaphysics?

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What is the goal/purpose of the metaphysical poets?– The expression of feeling and spiritual

devotion through techniques often associated with prose (argument, rhetoric, logic) rather than poetry.

– To experiment with language in an attempt to represent the complexity of life

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What are the key characteristics of metaphysical poetry?– Simple vocabulary– Metaphysical conceits– Inconsistent poetic meter– Witty word play– Use of logic/reasoning– Set up as an argument, uses rhetorical devices

METAPHYSICAL (p. 506-507)

What were the primary criticisms made about the metaphysics?– Use poetry just to “show off” knowledge– Uses logic where emotion should rule– Difficult to understand– Disrupts poetic meter

METAPHYSICAL

Explain Eliot’s compliment of the metaphysical poets that they were able to “feel their thought as immediately as the odor of a rose.”

COMPARE/CONTRASTComplete the chart

ELIZABETHAN Ornamental diction

Natural images Heartfelt emotion Regular meter

Focus on love and nature Two-word paradoxes such

as “Sweet Sorrow”

METAPHYSICAL

COMPARE/CONTRASTComplete the chart

ELIZABETHAN Ornamental diction

Natural images Heartfelt emotion Regular meter

Focus on love and nature Two-word paradoxes such as

“Sweet Sorrow” Uses comparisons considered

“poetic” such as love to a rose or the sea

METAPHYSICAL Plain diction Unusual images Wit and intellect/logic Irregular meter Often about faith and death

(even when about love) Jarring and elaborate

paradoxes such as love/hate Use of metaphysical conceits-

unexpected, more “intellectual” and less “poetical”

Practice p. 507

Restate the excerpt from “The Canonization” by rewriting it in prose, untangling the complex syntax and paraphrasing its meaning. Identify the metaphysical conceit.

Share

SAMPLE

We can die by love even if we cannot live by love. Our legend may be unsuitable for either a tomb’s inscription or a hearse, but it is fitting for poetry. And even if no history gives an account of our love, it will be perfectly immortalized in poetry.

The metaphysical conceit is the comparison of their love, fitting to poetry, to a legend that immortalizes what it records.

Practice #2 p. 507

Close read of “A Fever”

John DonneJohn Donne1572-16311572-1631

Biographical information

Meditation 17

Holy Sonnet 10

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning

BIOGRAPHICAL EXPLORATION

How does his notable quote reflect the Renaissance era?

Based upon the description on page 508 how might the following statement best be completed: Donne was a man who himself was a _________.

What is revealed about Donne under the heading “Impoverished by Love?”

TERMS REVIEW-Metaphysical Conceit

Definition Explain the metaphysical conceit in the

following:Other artists seek success,

But she found it a deceptive goal-

A steep bridge full of pain and stress,

Hard to cross, and not worth the toll.

TERMS REVIEW-PARADOX

Define Explain the paradox and provide a

concrete example To succeed is to fail Take the idea from the example for the

metaphysical conceit and write it as a paradox.

Example

The search for success is a painful joy.

ASSIGNMENT1. Read Meditation 17. Answer questions B & C

posed on page 514; answer questions 1, 2, 3, and second part of 6 p. 515.

2. Read Holy Sonnet 10 and write a poetry analysis items 1-5. As well as answer questions 1 & 2 on p. 513 and #9 on page 515.

*Be prepared to compare/contrast subject matter, tone, style, techniques in the two selections.

DISCUSSION

Discuss writing prompt and Meditation 17 answers to the questions.

Identify the techniques/rhetorical devices used in the piece.

John Donne-Writing Prompt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tijW_SrCoxs

Explain what you believe Donne’s opinion of the song lyrics for “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” would be and why.

RIDDLE

Why did Frosty go to live in the middle of the ocean?

Because snow man is an island!!

Claire Wilson, 2012

American Gods excerpt

Pages 322-323

Which stance do you personally hold, that expressed by Donne or that expressed by Gaiman? Explain.

DISCUSSION

Discuss/Share Holy Sonnet 10 and assignment

Compare/contrast subject, theme, style, and tone between Sonnet 10 and Meditation 17

ASSIGNMENT

3. Read A Valediction: Forbidding MourningAnswer question A, 1 and 2 on page 512Answer questions 4-8 on page 515.Poetry analysis items 5 & 6 and your own question creation (see item 7)

DISCUSSION

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning Significance of the title & its punctuation Discuss questions and poetry analysis