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    Notes Prepared by Khan s0ns

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    1) Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complexity, intellectual tone, subtle wit, fusion of intellect and emotion, argumentative tone, conceits, scholarly allusions, dramatic tone, and philosophical reflection. 2) A major characteristic is the use of conceits, or fantastic comparisons, such as in Donne's comparison of lovers to compasses. 3) Donne's poetry displays formidable wit through conceits and allusions to many fields as well as paradoxical statements.

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    Notes Prepared by Khan s0ns

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    1) Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complexity, intellectual tone, subtle wit, fusion of intellect and emotion, argumentative tone, conceits, scholarly allusions, dramatic tone, and philosophical reflection. 2) A major characteristic is the use of conceits, or fantastic comparisons, such as in Donne's comparison of lovers to compasses. 3) Donne's poetry displays formidable wit through conceits and allusions to many fields as well as paradoxical statements.

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    Javed Khan

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    1) Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complexity, intellectual tone, subtle wit, fusion of intellect and emotion, argumentative tone, conceits, scholarly allusions, dramatic tone, and philosophical reflection. 2) A major characteristic is the use of conceits, or fantastic comparisons, such as in Donne's comparison of lovers to compasses. 3) Donne's poetry displays formidable wit through conceits and allusions to many fields as well as paradoxical statements.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    50 views2 pages

    Notes Prepared by Khan s0ns

    Uploaded by

    khan
    1) Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complexity, intellectual tone, subtle wit, fusion of intellect and emotion, argumentative tone, conceits, scholarly allusions, dramatic tone, and philosophical reflection. 2) A major characteristic is the use of conceits, or fantastic comparisons, such as in Donne's comparison of lovers to compasses. 3) Donne's poetry displays formidable wit through conceits and allusions to many fields as well as paradoxical statements.

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    Notes Prepared by Khan s0ns Javed Khan

    In brief the term 'Metaphysical Poetry' implies the characteristics of complexity, intellectual
    tone, abundance of subtle wit, fusion of intellect and emotion, colloquial argumentative
    tone, conceits (always witty and fantastic), scholarly allusions, dramatic tone, and
    philosophic or reflective element.

    Fondness For Conceits


    This is the major characteristic of metaphysical poetry. Donne often employs fantastic
    comparisons. The most famous and striking one is the comparison of the lovers to a pair of
    compasses in 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning'. A clever, though obvious conceit is
    employed in'The Flea' where the insect is called the marriage-bed and the marriage-temple
    of the lovers because it has bitten them and sucked their blood.

    Wit, Striking And Subtle


    No doubt, the conceits especially display a formidable wit. So do the various allusions
    and images relating to practically all areas of nature, art and learning. Allusions to medicine,
    cosmology, ancient myth, contemporary discoveries, history, and art abound in Donne's
    poetry. In'The Legacy' the lover is his own 'executor and legacy'. Such paradoxical
    statements are to be found in several other poems. In 'Death be not Proud', he says Death
    thou shalt die. Such is the display of Donne's wit.

    Combination Of Passion And Thoughts


    Combination of passions and thoughts is another form of wit. There is in Donne's
    poetry an intellectual analysis of emotions. Every lyric arises out of some emotional
    situation, but the emotion is not merely expressed; it is analyzed. 'A Valediction: Forbidding
    Mourning' proves that lovers need not mourn at parting. 'The Canonization' establishes that
    lovers are saints of love.

    Argumentation And Reasoning


    Argumentation and reasoning balance the passion in Donne's poems. No one can
    deny the passion in 'The Sun Rising', but there is also a plenty of argumentation to prove
    that the sun has no power over the lovers, as love knows no season or clime.

    Colloquial Speech
    Donne's colloquial style is especially apparent in the abrupt, conversational opening
    of many of his poems. For instance
    For God's sake hold thy tongue, and let me love (The Canonization)
    Busy old fool, unruly sun (The Sun Rising)

    Donne asserts our attention both by the content and the dramatic style of his poetry.

    Because of these characteristics, Donne is entitled a metaphysical poet. Grierson


    aptly sums up: Donne is metaphysical not only by virtue of his scholasticism but by the
    deep reflective interest in the experiences of which his poetry is the expression, the new
    psychological curiosity with which he writes of love and religion.'

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