The Metaphysical PoetryThe Metaphysical Poetry

A term used to group together A term used to group together certain 17th-century poets, certain 17th-century poets, usually John Donne, Andrew usually John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and others.Marvell, and others.

It is not a proper movement or It is not a proper movement or school, but the term is applied to school, but the term is applied to poets of this time that poets of this time that incorporated common incorporated common characteristics of characteristics of witwit, , inventivenessinventiveness, and a love of , and a love of elaborate stylistic elaborate stylistic maneuversmaneuvers..

The term “metaphysical” is The term “metaphysical” is derived from the word derived from the word “metaphysics,” which is a “metaphysics,” which is a division of philosophy that division of philosophy that studies and attempts to explain studies and attempts to explain abstract ideas like existence, abstract ideas like existence, space, time, truth, etc.space, time, truth, etc.

Metaphysical poets often use Metaphysical poets often use elaborate, strained, or far-elaborate, strained, or far-fetched metaphors or _______ to fetched metaphors or _______ to explain or describe emotions explain or describe emotions (abstract ideas).(abstract ideas).

These poets attempt to explain These poets attempt to explain emotional concepts through the emotional concepts through the intellect and rational discussion, intellect and rational discussion, not intuition.not intuition.

During the 17th century, some During the 17th century, some critics used the term in a critics used the term in a derogatory manner, but the term derogatory manner, but the term seemed to fit so it has lasted seemed to fit so it has lasted

until today.until today.

Dryden criticized, “He affects Dryden criticized, “He affects the Metaphysics…in his the Metaphysics…in his amorous verses, where amorous verses, where nature only should reign; and nature only should reign; and perplexes the minds of the perplexes the minds of the fair sex with nice speculations fair sex with nice speculations of philosophy, when he of philosophy, when he should engage their hearts.”should engage their hearts.”

John DonneJohn Donne“Jack”

Life of John DonneLife of John Donne

Born 1572Born 1572 Roman CatholicRoman Catholic Oxford at age 11 Oxford at age 11 Cambridge at age 14Cambridge at age 14 Refused to take the Oath of Refused to take the Oath of

Supremacy Supremacy Began a legal career at age 20Began a legal career at age 20

Death of his brotherDeath of his brother

He began to question his faith.He began to question his faith.

His first book His first book SatiresSatires

First book of poetry First book of poetry Songs and Songs and SonnetsSonnets. .

Financial security due to inheritanceFinancial security due to inheritance

Private secretary to Sir Thomas Private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton.Egerton.

Served in ParliamentServed in Parliament

Secretly married Anne More, Secretly married Anne More, Egerton’s nieceEgerton’s niece

“ “Anne Donne, John Donne, Undone”Anne Donne, John Donne, Undone”

He was released after several weeks, He was released after several weeks, fired from his position, and denied his fired from his position, and denied his wife’s dowry.wife’s dowry.

His family struggled financially for 12 His family struggled financially for 12 years.years.

In 1609, he was given his wife’s dowry.In 1609, he was given his wife’s dowry.

During this time, he worked as a During this time, he worked as a lawyer.lawyer.

In 1610, he denounced his Catholic In 1610, he denounced his Catholic faith and won favor with King James I.faith and won favor with King James I.

Donne became an Anglican minister Donne became an Anglican minister and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by Cambridge.degree by Cambridge.

He continued to write poetry, as well as He continued to write poetry, as well as 160 sermons, which he had published.160 sermons, which he had published.

He was considered one of the greatest He was considered one of the greatest preachers of his time due to his preachers of his time due to his elaborate metaphors, religious elaborate metaphors, religious symbolism, flair for drama, education, symbolism, flair for drama, education, and quick wit.and quick wit.

After 16 years of marriage, Anne died After 16 years of marriage, Anne died at age 33 after giving birth to her 12at age 33 after giving birth to her 12thth child. child.

She left behind 7 living children and a She left behind 7 living children and a grieving John Donne.grieving John Donne.

He refused to write love poetry after He refused to write love poetry after her death.her death.

1621 he became Dean at St. Paul’s 1621 he became Dean at St. Paul’s Church.Church.

He was about to be named bishop when He was about to be named bishop when he died of mouth infection in 1631.he died of mouth infection in 1631.

He was 59.He was 59.

Donne in his funeral shroud