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Metaphysical poetry




Metaphysical poetry



Definition :

There are many definitions of metaphysical poetry. "Metaphysical" when applied to poetry usually love, science, geology, romance, sensuality and man's relationship with god.

Metaphysical is derivative of a Latin word metaphysica, which is a combination of two words : Meta and physica. The word meta means "beyond" or "after." It is a prefix and 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." 


Characteristics :


1. Metaphysical poetry is complex and difficult. Most varied concepts are yoked together. It is difficult for the ordinary reader to understand this kind of poetry.

2.Metaphysical poetry is intellectual in none. There is more analysis of the most delicate shades of psychological experiences.

3.There is a fine fusion of emotion and intellect. Emotions are analysed in intellectual manner.

4.Metaphysical poetry is full of conceits. Conceits are juxtaposition of opposite ideas and images. They present strange and apparently dissimilar ideas.

5.It is argumentative. The poet tries to prove some idea or thought logically. The poet presents his arguments like a lawyer.

6.The poet draws his images from various sources like science, alchemy, astronomy, geography etc. They look obviously etc. They look obviously strange but they are quite logical and convincing.



Metaphysical poets :.

  1. John Donne 
  2. George Herbert 
  3. Richard Crashaw 
  4. Andrew Marvell 
  5. John Cleveland 
  6. Henry Vaughan 


About George Herbert :




George Herbert was a great metaphysical poet. He was born in 1593 and died in 1633. He tried to serve christianity. He died of tuberculosis. George Herbert's chief work is 'The Temple'. 


About John Donne :


  • Birth                       : 22 January 1572 
  • Died                       : 31 March 1631 
  • Genre                     : Satire, love, poetry, elegy, sermons 
  • Literary movement: Metaphysical poetry 

John Donne is known as the founder of the metaphysical poets, a term created by Samuel Johnson, an eighteenth century essayist, poet, and philosopher. 


Analysis Of Donne's Metaphysical poem "The Flea"


The speaker uses the occasion of a flea hopping from himself to a young lady as an excuse to argue that the two of them should make love. Since in the flea their blood is mixed together, he says that they have already been made as one in the body of the flea. Besides, the flea pricked her and got what it wanted without having to woo her. The flea’s bite and mingling of their bloods is not considered a sin, so why should their love-making?

In the second stanza the speaker attempts to prevent the woman from killing the flea. He argues that since the flea contains the “life” of both herself and the speaker, she would be guilty both of suicide and a triple homicide in killing it.

The woman in question is obviously not convinced, for in the third stanza she has killed the flea with a fingernail. The speaker then turns this around to point out that, although the flea which contained portions of their lives is dead, neither of them is the weaker for it. If this commingling of bodily fluids can leave no lasting effect, then why does she hesitate to join with him in sexual intimacy? After all, her honor will be equally undiminished.



Cite Work

https://www.gradesaver.com/donne-poems/study-guide/summary-the-flea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_poets

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