Metaphysical Poetry.docx

Definition of Metaphysical PoetryMetaphysical poetry is defined as poetry dating from the 17th century in Britain that has an abstract and ethereal style. Such poetry used a variety of forms and structures, but employed similar styles. The term was first coined by John Dryden in 1693 when he described a poem by John Donne as affecting “the metaphysical.” It was later popularized by Samuel Johnson in 1781.Samual Johnson was the first person, who invented the term Metaphysical Poetry, while talking about the life of Abraham Cowley in his book,Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets(177981). He says that, in the beginning of 17th century, a race of writers appeared, who may be regarded as Metaphysical Poets. Etymologists are of the view that the expression Metaphysical is derivative of the Latin wordMetaphysica, which is a combination of two words:MetaandPhysica. The wordmetameans beyond or after. It is a prefix and is equally used in English. It refers to things or concepts, which are abstract. Literally Physica means work, but in this case, it is considered as something, which is having a concrete shape.So, the term Metaphysical may be defined as Beyond physical work. In this regard, R.S Hillyer asserts that the Metaphysical deals with the notion of existence, with the existing universe and mans place therein. Roughly, it has taken such implications as these- philosophical, difficult, ethereal, obscure, supercilious, ingenious, odd and bizarre. Poetry, which deals with correlation between the real world and the after-world, concrete and abstract, soul and being, as well as reality and perception using philosophical methodology is called Metaphysical Poetry.Obscurity in Metaphysical PoetryMetaphysical poetry is considered highly ambiguous and obscure due to high intellect and knowledge of the metaphysical poets. Their poetry is greatly challenging to understand at first reading. It needs deep concentration and full attention to get to the roots of the matter. John Donnes many poems are best examples in this regard. Ben Jonson was of the view about the future of John Donne that his popularity would not live longer because of his inability to reveal himself to the reader openly.Brevity in Metaphysical PoetryMetaphysical poetry is considered to be highly terse and concise in the history of poetry. These poems are very brief and short in length. Every line conveys a lot of meaning in very few words. There is no waste of words. Every word is adjusted in every line like a brick in a wall. Nothing is superfluous and spare. Every word has its own function and conveys the message of the author. Metaphysical poetry is like the essays of Bacon in brevity and conciseness in the history of English literature. Have a look at the following lines from John Donnes poetry:I am two fools, I know,For loving, and for sayingIn whining poetry.(The Triple FoolBy John Donne)Just such disparityAs if twixt air and angels purity,Twixt womens love, and mens will ever be.(Air and AngelsBy John Donne)Aphorism in Metaphysical PoetryEpigrammatic quality is another aspect of metaphysical poetry. Their poetry is a vast collection of maxims and sayings. John Donnes is a pioneer in this regard. His poetry is replete with numerous maxims. Look at the following lines from his poetry and conclude yourself how epigrammatic these are:And swearNo whereLives a woman true, and fair.(Song: Go and catch a falling starBy John Donne)As virtuous men pass mildly away,And whisper to their souls to go,Whilst some of their sad friends do say,The breath goes now, and some say no.(A Valediction: Forbidding MourningBy John Donne)Metaphysical ConceitsA significant feature of Metaphysical Poetry is the use of metaphysical conceits. It is a unique quality of Metaphysical Poetry. Conceit is a far-fetched comparison of two dissimilar things, which have very little in common. Metaphysical poetry is brimming with metaphysical conceits. For example Abraham Cowley in his poem The Mistress compares his love for ladies to his habit of travelling in various countries of the world:Hast thou not found each womans breast(The lands where thou hast travelled)Either by savages possest,Or wild and uninhabited?What joy couldst take, or what repose,In countries so uncivilizd as those?(The Mistressby Abraham Cowley)Unified Sensibility in Metaphysical PoetryIt was T.S Eliot, who coined this phrase Unified Sensibility. According to him, Unified Sensibility implies fusion of thoughts and feelings together. In the history of English Literature, either poets laid great emphasis on intellect, reason, thinking or feelings and emotions. This separation of reason and feeling is called Dissociation of Sensibility. We are all aware of the fact that in the Age of Pope, poets tried to set aside their emotions and wrote poetry purely a product of their reason and intellect. hey just overemphasized reason and judgement and did not give any importance to the feelings of a person. On the other hand, fusion of thoughts and feelings is called unification of sensibility. Unification of Sensibility is the most imperative feature of Metaphysical Poetry. Metaphysical poets didnt dissociated feelings and reasons from one another. They tried their best to fuse them together. Their poetry indicates an amazing amalgam spiritual and physical, ethereal and earthly, abstract and concrete, thoughts and emotions. This feature is also called juxtaposition of opposite things. That is why their poetry is difficult to understand. Their love for philosophy has a prodigious impact on their poetry.Colloquialism in Metaphysical PoetryColloquialism is another vital feature of Metaphysical Poetry. Metaphysical poets reacted against the traditional diction of the poets. They employed their own diction in their poetry. They mostly used informal language instead of formal, dignified and sublime language like Milton in their poetry. They tried to use colloquial language. For example Johan Donne in his poem The Canonization uses a very simple diction:FOR Gods sake hold your tongue, and let me love ;Or chide my palsy, or my gout ;My five gray hairs, or ruind fortune flout ;With wealth your state, your mind with arts improve.(The Canonizationby John Donne)Calls what you will, we are made such by love ;Call her one, me another fly,Were tapers too, and at our own cost die.(The Canonizationby John Donne)Originality in Metaphysical PoetryOriginality is the hallmark of metaphysical poets. All the metaphysical poets were unique and original in their ideas and thoughts. They didnt follow the trodden path of their contemporary poets. They stood in rebellion against them and followed their own way of writing poetry. They wanted to startle their readers by presenting unique and unheard and unseen ideas before them. They desired to differentiate themselves from the outmoded poets in every respect. That is why they are called original poets in the history of English literature. For example, John Donne in his poem The Flee forbids his wife from killing a flee because he has the feeling that this killing of a flee will cause murdering of three souls. Look at the following lines taken fromThe Flee:O stay, three lives in one flea spare,Where we almost, yea, more than married are.This flea is you and I, and thisOur marriage bed, and marriage temple is.Though parents grudge, and you, were met,And cloisterd in these living walls of jet.Though use make you apt to kill me,Let not to that self-murder added be,And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.(The Fleeby John Donne)Lecture on Metaphysical PoetryWit in Metaphysical PoetryWit is also a noteworthy feature of Metaphysical Poetry. Metaphysical wit is the expression of ones idea and thoughts, using aptly and technically the words and various figures of speech in such a manner as to provide pleasure to the readers. Johan Donne is called the Monarch of Wit in the history of Metaphysical poetry. He uses informal, argumentative and simple language in such awaythat the reader gets wondered at the ideas of the poet. Pope has rightly said about John Donne,“Donne had no imagination, but as much wit, I think, as any writer can possibly have.”Have a look at the following lines taken from John Donnes poetry, which proves him a monarch of wit:All that is lovable is wonderfulThe mistress is wonderful,Therefore the mistress is lovable.(Elegy II Anagram by John Donne)Platonic Love in Metaphysical PoetryPlatonic love is another feature of Metaphysical Poetry. Platonic love means spiritual love, which is free from elements of physical love. John Donne is famous for treating spiritual love in his poems. For example in Canonization, he considers love as a sanctified thing. Have a look at the following exa