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Metaphysical Poetry

            Metaphysical poetry has been identified as being highly intellectual as it deals with metaphorical themes that compare dissimilar and abstract ideas. This idea is clearly conveyed in both of Marvell's poems. "To his coy mistress" depicts a man's plea to his mistress to accept his sexual advances and "A dialogue between the Soul and Body" addresses the dichotomy between one's body and soul and the mutual entrapment they feel as subject to each other's whims and needs. The idea of metaphysical poetry is depicted through the various techniques such as paradoxes, symbolism, figurative language and poetic techniques which he uses to represent his focus on the broader concepts of human (being) existence.
             These ( discussed) poems both carry definite features of metaphysical poetry, this is evident as the composer uses as variety of sound devices such as colloquial language, iambic tetrameters and rhyming couplets are used to portray that the persona's in both 'to his coy mistress" and "a dialogue between body and soul"( remember to keep capitalization it is a title) as beings of wit and intellect while keeping an atmosphere that has a more comfortable tone of a conversation. .
             Marvell creates the poems using a the form of an argument which that is was a prevalent technique that is featured in many metaphysical poems. The structure of thesis, antithesis and synthesis is used in 'To his coy mistress' to create a flowing and strong argument which is used in the pursuit of the persona trying to persuade his mistress. The persona uses the thesis to convey to his mistress that "if" life wasn't so short he would spend an eternity of time courting her. Which is then shortly followed by the antithesis of "but" there is not enough time and the synthesis of "now" that time is still available why don't we make the most of it before they both succumb to death succumbs.


Essays Related to Metaphysical Poetry

1. John Donne

Now the characteristics of metaphysical poetry are not easily defined, but universal similarities between the poets are noticeable. The main features of metaphysical poetry are certainly passion in the writing, the poems are generally very lyrical and of course, particularly in Donne's poetry, they are very witty. In the early to mid 19th century, Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote some rather subjective critical notes on the metaphysical poets and in particular Donne's poetry. He says "to read (the metaphysical poetry) you need only count syllables, but to read Donne you must measure ti...

  • Word Count: 737
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. The Sentiments and Accomplishments of the Metaphysical Poets

Known as the Metaphysical Poets; English lyric poets of the 17th century had many achievements. ... Although their mixed methods were by no means new, these men brought new life into English poetry by the freshness and originality of their approach; and that is why the sentiments and accomplishments of the Metaphysical Poets deserves much mention. The Sentiments of the Metaphysical Poets are all similar and draw many comparisons. ... Elliot, The Metaphysical Poets)." ... Elliot's the accomplishments of the Metaphysical Poets are greatly admired. ...

  • Word Count: 402
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Holy Sonnet X by John Donne

John Donne was not only the most renown English metaphysical poet of his time but also one of its most celebrated preachers. Donne's poetry falls into two basic groups, the early erotic and ironic verse and the later religious poems of which the "Holy Sonnets" are a major part. His love poetry centers on the nature and psychology of love. ... It happened to be a collection of John Donne's poetry. ...

  • Word Count: 510
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

4. 3 Views of Poetry

The title, Ars Poetica, is Latin for the "art of poetry". ... Instead poetry for Macleish is essentially metaphysical. ... Poetry undergoes two specific changes in opinion. ... For Macleish the good poem is wrought with what metaphysically withstands. ... Like the comment by Robert Frost on what poetry is, "Poetry is the kind of thing that poets write."...

  • Word Count: 1067
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

5. The Poetry of Yeats

Yeats poetry has the unique ability to unify the dichotomous aspects of human existence in a lyrical manifestation of the realm of art, our memories fraught with contradiction, our current struggle with meaning and the processes of time and decay. ... The nature and persona's recognition of mortality brings the poem to a sombre conclusion as the physical distance between the poet and swans represents the vast metaphysical gap between the mortal and the immortal In Among School Children Yeats begins with a similar duality of youth and age but moves to a more profound consideration of the ...

  • Word Count: 892
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Graduate

6. Speech on John Donne's religious and love poetry

This "rebirth" in his poetry is essentially illustrated through his use of devices and his expression in meaning. ... A tendency that can be followed in Donne's work is his exploration of "metaphysical" emotions conveyed by the persona. ... This implies that despite techniques content is fundamental when dealing with different levels of metaphysical sense. ... Techniques are just one of the elements that make up Donne's unique style in Renaissance poetry. ... It is the stylistic techniques as well as the content in his devotional poetry that distinguishes his feelings of the Meta...

  • Word Count: 994
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Art and Nietzsche

For Nietzsche, art is not the imitation of nature, but a metaphysical complement that will enable the transcendence of nature itself. Art is the fundamental metaphysical activity of Man; art is the highest form of human activity. Nietzsche's view of art is, at the same time, the most sublime and metaphysical. ... All nihilism in Nietzsche's philosophical system is sublimated to art as the highest metaphysical activity in Man, bestowing life with sublime meaning. ... Bishop's poetry captures the essence of her surroundings like that of a photograph. ...

  • Word Count: 887
  • Approx Pages: 4

8. John Donne

John Donne John Donne used poetry and spellbinding sermons to examine platonic love that transcends the body to a more divine level (Knauss 1: 2). ... His "ingenious fusion of wit and seriousness, stress on poetry as speech rather than song, and representation of a shift from classic model toward a more personal style (Jokinen "English Literature-),"" all lead him to become the most outstanding of the English Metaphysical Poets . ... In "The Good-Morrow,"" Donne speaks of his "wide-ranging exploration of love in all forms (McDaniel "Donne's Love Poetry)."" ... He continued to wri...

  • Word Count: 1954
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography

9. Wallace Steven's Of Modern Poetry

The purpose of this paper is to argue that Wallace Stevens does not like the almost completely subjective nature of modern art, particularly modern poetry, and expresses his concerns in his poem Of Modern Poetry (pg 239-240). ... Next, Stevens draws a parallel from the world of poetry to the world of theater by comparing poetry to an actor. ... (ln 20-24) These lines encapsulate Stevens" view of modern poetry. ... Metaphysics, after all, is not recognized by the general public as being real, or of any real value; it's almost the same as calling a doctor a quack. ... Although Wal...

  • Word Count: 802
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

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