Metaphysical Poetry

 

Metaphysical School of Poetry The term ‘Metaphysical’ poetry ‘Metaphysical’ poetry is coined by b y Dr. Samuel Johnson. This movement of p poetry oetry is quite witty, ingenious and highly philosophical. The T he topics include love, war, religion and more. th The metaphysical poets were a group of 17  century poets. They did not belong to a school of  poetry rather they were united by common characteristics of wit, inventiveness and a love for intellectual complexity. Their work is notable for its intellectual and theological concepts in surprising metaphors, strange paradoxes and far-fetched imagery. Dr Johnson remarked metaphysical poetry metaphysical  poetry as “most heterogeneous ideas were yoked by violence together .”  .”  The themes of the poem dealt d ealt with the deep philosophical issues such as re relationships lationships with  people and God, passage of time, death, unfolding of life’s truths and so on. The poetry was characterized by subtle, complex and concentrated thought. Metaphysical conceits are one of the dominant features of the metaphysical poetry. Dr Johnson called it as “a combination of compares the two dissimilar images.” In Donne’s “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning,” he compares lovers to a compass. They employed emplo yed unusual images taken from history, geography, astronomy, alchemy and mathematics.  John Donne is considered to be the towering figure in the school of metaphysical poetry. He was a clergy, lawyer and a poet. His works are noted for their strong, sensual style and

include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, elegies and sermons. His style is characterized by abrupt openings and various paradoxes. Some of his renowned poems are “ The Canonization,” “Valediction Forbidding Mourning,” “The Sun Rising,” “Hymn to God my Father.”   Father.” school was a priest. His verses verses are expression George Herbert, the saint of metaphysical school of his piety as a man and priest. His poems published posthumously in a collection called The Temple .  His poems record a conflict between the love of God and the temptations of worldly ambition. Abraham Cowley  published his first volume of verse Poetical Blossoms when he was 15 years old. The Mistress is his collection poems. Richard Crashaw was noted for his collection of religious poems called Steps to the Temple . His poems are rich with full of music

and imagery. Henry Vaughan, author, physician and a metaphysical metaph ysical poet. He is chiefly known for his religious poetry- Silex Scintilians Scintilians. He was greatly influenced by George Herbert. Both in the shape and spirituality Herbert influenced him heavily. heavil y. Andrew Marvell is the last great poet in the metaphysical tradition. His earliest poems are quiet, reflective pieces based on rural life and include his well known p poem oem “ The Garden.”  .”  One of his most popular poems is “ To His Coy Mistress,” a poem on love and brevity of life.  life.  

However the metaphysical have had a profound influence on the course of the English poetry in twentieth century.