Metaphysical
poetry
Unknown artist (Ehglish School).
Portrait of John Donne, 1631.
National Portrait Gallery, London.
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Metaphysical poetry
1. Meaning of metaphysical
METAPHYSICAL
Meta = beyond, upon, or after or
after the things of nature
Physical = the material or actual
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Metaphysical poetry
1. Meaning of metaphysical
METAPHYSICAL
Literally, metaphysical means to
transcend above or beyond the
physical or concrete. – often used
in the sense that it was about nonmaterial and supernatural things.
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Metaphysical poetry
1. Meaning of metaphysical
METAPHYSICAL
concerned with the fundamental
problems of the nature of the
universe and man’s function or
place in life
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• Reflected the intellectual and spiritual crisis of the 17th century
• The poet was a man of “wit”, displaying his sensitivity, his
knowledge and cleverness
• The leading poet was John Donne
John Donne, after a miniature by
Isaac Oliver, 1616.
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• An Argument, thesis, antithesis, synthesis
The poet proposes something that he wants to happen,
realizes it is not likely to occur, and offers up solution.
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• A particular type of metaphor or simile called conceit
An elaborate, exaggerated metaphor, usually
strained or far-fetched in nature, comparing two
incredibly dissimilar things.
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• Example
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two,
Thy soul the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’other do.
(John Donne, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning)
The poet compares the souls of lovers to compasses
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
The conceit
Insists on the relationship between A
(the tenor) and B (the vehicle)
Illustrates and develops ideas in a detailed and
over-complex way, often with an effect of shock
or surprise
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• Unusual images taken from all fields of knowledge: history,
geography, astronomy, alchemy, mathematics, etc.
Look, and tomorrow late, tell me,
Whether both the Indias of spice and mine
Be where thou left’st them, or lie here with me.
Ask for those kings whom thou saw’st yesterday,
And thou shalt hear, All here in one bed lay.
(John Donne, The Sun Rising)
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
Paradox:
• A statement which is apparently contradictory though in some sense
true
Take me to you, imprison me, for I
Except you enthral me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
(J. Donne, Batter my heart)
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
Hyperbole:
• A gross exaggeration, as in Marvel’s poem “To His Coy Mistress”
as in line 15 "two hundred [years] to adore each breast”
(Andrew Marvel)
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
Imperative Voice:
• Expressing a command or plea such as in the poem “Song”
GO and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
(John Donne)
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Metaphysical poetry
2. Main characteristics
• Dramatic quality
• Most poems begin in medias res (Latin: in the middle)
Go, and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me, where all past years are
(John Donne, Song)
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Metaphysical poetry
3. Literary Terms
• Anthropomorphism, or personification, is attribution of
human form or other characteristics to anything other
than a human being. Examples include depicting deities
with human form and ascribing human emotions or
motives to forces of nature, such as hurricanes or
earthquakes.
• Anthropomorphism has ancient roots as a literary device
in storytelling, and also in art. Most cultures have
traditional fables with anthropomorphised animals, who
can stand or talk as if human, as characters.
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Metaphysical poetry
3. Apostrophe
• In literature, apostrophe is a figure of speech sometimes
represented by exclamation “O”. A writer or a speaker,
using an apostrophe, detaches himself from the reality
and addresses an imaginary character in his speech.
• It is important not to confuse the apostrophe which is a
figure of speech and the apostrophe which is a
punctuation mark (‘). It shows possession or a mark to
indicate omission of one or more letters (contractions)
while apostrophe used in literature is an arrangement of
words addressing a non-existent person or an abstract
idea in such a way as if it were present and capable of
understanding feelings.
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Metaphysical poetry
Assignment
Write original examples for the following:
• Hyperbole
• I slurped up over a mile of the delicious angel hair pasta
and did not plan on stopping.
• I walked into the boys gym and the pungent aroma of
sweaty teenage armpit punched me in the nose.
• Paradox
– Starburst “solid yet juicy like a liquid”
– My teacher said he hates kids
– The Walking Dead
• Conceit
The leaves danced in the summer breeze.
• Imperative Voice
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Metaphysical poetry
Assignment
Write original examples for the following:
• Hyperbole
So rich is your colloquial speech,
I am left in rapt by a single phrase.
To waste any verse on uncaring souls,
Would be to throw your pearls before swine.
• Paradox
Find me the song that makes me sing my heart’s cry flee.
The love she had for me felt endless, but was limited for our chaste
souls
• Conceit
• Imperative Voice
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Metaphysical poetry
Assignment
Write original examples for the following:
• Hyperbole
• Paradox
• Conceit
• Imperative Voice
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