Essay on Love and Metaphysical Poetry - 1635 Words

Ingenious concepts, sticking conceits, heated arguments, sublime paradoxes and far†fetched imagery are just a few features of Metaphysical poetry. Poetry that enables its audience to take a journey with the poet throughout life’s battles, luxuries and treasures, is simply a phenomenon. Today, we are very lucky to have the luxury of many metaphysical poems; however, today we will be exploring just two. These being A Valediction Forbidding Mourning and To His Coy Mistress. Both poems possess different themes and features that will be compared and contrasted throughout, however, are connected through the discourse of love. The four letter word with so much meaning, but what really is love? Can a definite meaning be placed upon or it, or†¦show more content†¦Due to the central focus on love, the invited reader is most probably those that are in love or have experienced feelings such as these. Those against love and all that comes with it; would remain resista nt readers as the emotions utilised in this poem would be ones that they wouldn’t be able to identify with. The voice that is silenced in the poem is that of the wife. Her opinion on his absence remains somewhat unknown throughout the poem. Although the poem does leave readers with the impression that she needs reassurance that their love will remain strong despite their separation. The entire meaning of A Valediction Forbidding Mourning is based upon emotions. Donne explains to his wife that she shouldn’t grieve his departure, but rather be elated; for the love that they share is greater than any force trying to break them apart. A Valediction Forbidding Mourning consists of nine stanzas each possessing four lines. This structure being quite simple compared to many of Donne’s other poems that feature strange metrical patterns. The language presented in A Valediction is written in rather simple English, but true of all metaphysical poems, is quite descriptive allowing the reader to envisage a number of images throughout. The poem employs many image devices that together define the poem. Donne relies primarily on conceits to convey his message. In the first stanza, Donne compares theShow MoreRelatedJohn Donne1376 Words   |  6 Pagessense founded the metaphysical lyric, which was practiced by scare of writers. As Dowden says, â€Å"We are told that in the decline of the greater poetry of the Elizabethan period, a metaphysical school arose and that John Donne was the founder or the first eminent member of this school.† John Donne set up a new tradition in versification by and large Donne must be regarded as an original poet, â€Å"a poet who gave much more than what he borrowed from his age.† The word â€Å"metaphysical† has been definedRead MoreElements Of Metaphysical Poetry1092 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the 1600s, a group of poets created a type of poetry known as metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical poetry is a type of poetry that is devotional and mystical in content; it incorporates intellect, logic, and argument to demonstrate concepts such as love and death. Metaphysical poems have the elements of metaphors, metaphysical conceits, paradoxes, and analogies. Metaphors and metaphysical conceits, a type of extended metaphor, are used to show a connection between two things that are not similarRead MoreCharacteristics of Metaphysical Poetry876 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is a metaphysical poem? Metaphysical poetry is concerned with the whole experience of man, but the intelligence, learning and seriousness of the poets means that the poetry is about the profound areas of experience especially - about love, romantic and sensual; about man s relationship with God - the eternal perspective, and, to a less extent, about pleasure, learning and art. Metaphysical poems are lyric poems. They are brief but intense meditations, characterized by striking use of witRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry By John Donne1590 Words   |  7 PagesFeras Mohammed Awaga Grade 11 B Metaphysical Poetry According to English language, when metaphysical is divided into two words ‘meta’ is defined as after and physical remains as it is. Thus metaphysical means after the physical. 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Metaphysical poems are lyricRead MoreMetaphysical Poetry1246 Words   |  5 PagesMetaphysical Poetry: Much More Than Wit The two main views of metaphysical poetry, as composed by poets A.E. Housman and T.S. Eliot, are vastly different. Eliot’s view of metaphysical poetry is a very positive and respectful one. He admires the uniqueness of the metaphysical poets when he describes them as â€Å"reflective poets† as opposed to merely intellectual ones. Eliot says they have the ability to â€Å"feel their thought as immediately as the odor of a rose,† compared to the strictly thought-drivenRead MoreThe Metaphysical And Victorian Concept Of Love Essay1308 Words   |  6 PagesThe Metaphysical and Victorian concept of love is as diverse as it can be particularly comparing the intense love shown in Porphyria s Lover by Robert Browning with the playful love in nature in To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell. Love has multiple definitions and it has so far remained among the most complex subject that require a single particular definition to define its meaning. Plato once said At th e touch of love everyone becomes a poet and that s why may be we have so many diverseRead MoreCritical Appreciation Of T. S. Eliot s The Metaphysical Poets1382 Words   |  6 Pagesof T. S. Eliot’s â€Å"The Metaphysical Poets† T. S. Eliot’s essay â€Å"The Metaphysical Poets† was first published in The Times literary Supplement, 1031 (1921) and reprinted in Homage to John Dryden  (1924) and Selected Essays  (1932). It was published as a review of J.C. Grierson’s Edition of Metaphysical Lyrics and Poems of the 17th  Century.  The essay possesses a high critical value and significance. Eliot begins the essay by praising Grierson’s scholarly edition of Metaphysical lyrics and Poems of theRead MorePoetry: Donne’s Metaphysical Work 1180 Words   |  5 PagesDonne is Innocent As William Wordsworth so rightly said, â€Å"Poetry is the first and last of all knowledge-it is as immortal as the heart of man†. Its themes are the simplest experiences of life: sorrow and joy, love and hate, peace and war. Yet they are equally the boldest formations, the most complex classifications and studies of reason if the poet is able to carry sensation into these poems, forming them into passionate experiences through vivid and moving imagery. For uncertain or inexperiencedRead MoreThe word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive1400 Words   |  6 PagesThe word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive poetic style. Definitions for wit include: â€Å"the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure† (Dictionary.com 2014) and â€Å"understanding, intelligence, or sagacity, astuteness† (Dict ionary.com 2014). In this paper I will unpack the main features of metaphysical poetry and explore the relevance of wit and conceit in relation to John Donne’s