The metaphysical (Poetry)

 Metaphysical poetry

1. The poets of the Metaphysical school were

 (1) John Donne                (2) Herrick 

 (3) Thomas Carew.          (4)  Henry Vaughan

 (5) George Herbert and    (6) Load Herbert of Cherbury.

         The leader of this school was Donne.

2. These posts were not very highly philosophical. Their style was full of

           (a) exaggerations (b) quibbling of words{C} display of high learning  

               & (d) excess of similes and. and metaphors.

3. It was Dr. Johnson in his "Live of Ports" used the term "Metaphysical" Undoubtedly the 'Metaphysical Poets' were 'men of learning."

4. One important feature of the Metaphysical school was their "discovery of a full occult resemblance in things apparently unlike". They were strange & strained. The wishes of the Metaphysicals were just to say what was never said before.

5. But at times they struck out unexpected truths,

6. The Metaphysical poets were honest, original thinkers. They tried to analyse their feelings and experiences of love; they were also aware of life beyond life.

7. They are also concerned with death, burial, descent into hell etc. They hoped for immortality. But they were obsessed by the consciousness of Mortality.

8. Johnson remarked as, "The most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together...".

A- JOHN DONNE

1. JOHN DONNE (1537-1631) Donne was the leader of the Metaphysical school of Poete. Though his main work was to deliver religious sermons, he wrote poetry of high order. He was the Dean of St. Paul.

2. His best-known works are -

1. The Progress of the Soul  

2. An Anatomy of the World, an Elegy and

3. Epithalamion

3. this poetry can be divided into three parts- a) Amorous 

b) Metaphysical c) Satirical.

4. In his Amorous lyrics, he broke away from the Petrarchan model of the Elizabethan era and the experience of love in a realistic manner.

5. His Metaphysical and satirical works were written in later years.

6. His satires were written in a rhymed couplet and was influenced by Dryden and Pope.

7. Donne was a poet of wit. Donne had no Sympathy for his readers who did not understand him. 

8. Dave to his keen and incisive thought the poetry of Donne is difficult to follow.

9. The influence of Donne on his contemporary was very dominant. His followers imitated his harshness but could not come up to the level of his wit.

10. Though the Elizabethian writers still exerted some wit influence, but the influence of Donne was more dominant 

B - ROBERT HERRICK

1. ROBERT HERRICK (1591-1674). Herrick wrote Amorous as well as religious verse; he was more influenced by the Elizabethan era.

2. But due to his pensive fantasy and a meditative strain, especially the Religions verse, Herrick is included in the Metaphysical school.

C - Thomas Carew

1. Thomas Carew (1598-1639) Carew was the finest lyricist of the age. He was deeply influenced by Donne; His lyrics possessed the strength and vitality of Donne's Verse 'His Persuasions of Love' is a fine piece of rhythmic cadence and harmony.

D - RICHARD CRASHAW

1. RICHARD CRASHAW (1613-1649) Crashaw was a fundamentally religious poet. His best work was 'The Flanning Heart' 

2. His work at times reaches the heights of excellence.

E - HENRY VAUGHAN

1. Henry Vaugham (1622-1695) Vaugham was a mystic poet But was sacred and secular, where his poetry was concerned. Vaugham was clear, uniform and tranquil and very deep in his poem.

F - GEORGE HERBERT

1. George Herbert (1593-1633) Herbert is the most widely read poet of the Metaphysical school. He had clarity of expression and the transparency of his concerts.

2. In his religious verse, there is simplicity as well as natural earnestness. There is a didactic tone and humour in his poetry.

G - Load Herbert of Cherbury

1. He is best remembered as the author of an autobiography. He was the first poet to use the metres which was later made famous by Lord Tennyson in his " In Memoriam".

H - Other poets of the Metaphysical school.

1. Other poets of the Metaphysical poetry school were bran Abraham Cowley (1618-1667) Cowley is famous for his Pindaric Odes Which influenced the poets of the 18th Century.

2. Andrew Marvell (1621-1672). He was a satirist and politician also. He sat in the House of Commons at Various times. He is considered to be one of the best Metaphysical poets.

3. Edmund Waller (1602-1687) Waller was the first to use 'close cuplet' as dominant English poetry for the next century.

4. Thus we see that the Metaphysical poets show the spiritual and moral fervour of the Puritans.

5. Sometimes like the Elizabethans, they sing of making the best of life. At other times they Look for more permanent comfort in the delight of spiritual experience.

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