Discuss John Donne As A Metaphysical Poet

Discuss John Donne As a Metaphysical Poet- Part I
The word "metaphysical", as defined by the critic Samuel Johnson, is a loose

term generally applied to a diverse group of 17 century poets that appeared a
reaction to the Elizabethan poetry and they altogether changed the conventions
of love and divine poems. These included John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew
Marvel and others. The chief traits of metaphysical poetry are excessive use of
wit, conceits, paradoxes, far -fetched imagery or similes and speculation about
topics such as love or religion. In a sense, many of these poets were influenced
by Neo-Platonism. Since they appealed more to the intellect than to the senses,
therefore, critics like Samuel Johnson rejected them as successful poets; the
reader "sometimes admires, is seldom pleased". He tagged this poetry as "the
most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together; nature and art are
ransacked for illustrations, comparisons, and allusions..."
John Donne is regarded a great metaphysical and love poet. Though it is a fact
that he remained under darkness for a couple of hundred years, yet today he is
acknowledged as a remarkable poet of his era. He changed the dynamics of love
poetry which was severely resented by the conventional poets, the Elizabethans.
Living in his age, the bold treatment of love both in his love as well as divine
poems is surprising but intellectually appealing. The subtlety of style and use of
conceits sometimes shocks but appeals to the intellect. The rigid approach and
accusations of his critics that "he perplexes the minds of the fair sex with the
speculations of philosophy" were eclipsed by the commending remarks of T.S
Eliot and the likes.
Donne is a passionate and bold poet. To grasp & understand the true sense of
metaphysical poetry and its use by John Donne, let u s discuss various aspects of
this genre of verse in the light of his poetry. The poet boldly treats the matter of
physical love and union and the disturbance caused by the sun "buie old foole,
unruly sunne" in "The Sun Rising". He goes on to ask God to "batter my heart"
because the poet feels that he has sinned so much that there is no escape for him
except that God renews his heart and makes it anew. He seeks spiritual renewal
with the grace of God. There are several examples as to the passion and
boldness of his poetry e.g. "Death be not proud", "Twicknam Garden" etc.
Discuss John Donne As a Metaphysical Poet- Part II
He is speculative about religion and love in his poetry which is a trait of

metaphysical poetry alone. In one of his divine poems he pleads the God to guide
him and show him the true church:
"Show me dear Christ, thy spouse, so bright and clear.
What! Is it She, which on the other shore Goes richly painted?
Or which rob'd and tore Laments and mournes in Germany and here?"
Donne is speculative about true church. He seeks the guidance of God for
establishing the true church out of Protestant, Catholic and Church of England.
Similarly, the poet is no less speculative, rather, doubtful of true love and sincerity
on the part of women:
"Go e, and catche a falling starre,
Get with child a mandrake roote, .
..And swear No where Lives a woman true, and faire."
Another striking feature of metaphysical poetry is the use of conceit which seems
to have well suited the genius of Donne. He excessively uses this feature to enrich
his poetry. Though conceits are shocking at times but truly convey the truly
accomplish the purpose of the poet in displaying the message of the poet. For
example in "The Sunne Rising" the poet calls the two lovers and entire world: "
She ' is all States. And all Princes, I,
Nothing else is."
Likewise, in "Twicknam Garden", the poet wishes to become the stone fountain.
The lovers shall come and take his tears, drops of the fountain, in phials as wine of
love.
"Or a stone fountaine weeping out my yeare.
Hither with crystal vyals, lovers come,
And take my teares, which are loves wine,".
The poet has used three conceits here: poet as a stone fountain, his tears pouring
like fountain water and the water of his tears as wine of love.

Discuss John Donne As A Metaphysical Poet

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discuss John Donne As A Metaphysical Poet

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discuss John Donne As A Metaphysical Poet

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Discuss John Donne As a Metaphysical Poet- Part I

The word "metaphysical", as defined by the critic Samuel Johnson, is a loose

He is speculative about religion and love in his poetry which is a trait of

You might also like