The Metaphysical Conceit in Donnes Poems - 1198 Words

The Metaphysical Conceit Donne’s Poems â€Å"The Flea† and â€Å"A Valediction† are poems by John Donne that were written in the 17th Century. These poems incorporate the fundamental of something called a metaphysical conceit. Interesting though, both poems use the metaphysical conceit to tell a story about two very opposite situation between two â€Å"partners†. â€Å"The Flea’s† metaphysical conceit is stretched along a lustful, passionate, relationship between two individuals. â€Å"A Valediction’s† metaphysical conceit follows Donne asking his wife to be calm about his leaving rather than grieving about it. The poet cleverly hides the true meaning of the poem encouraging his readers to conduct closer readings and find the implicit details for themselves. We see in both these poems how the metaphysical conceit is played out to tell two different stories and represent two very different situations between two partners, whethe r they be husband and wife, or man and mistress. In order to really break down the meaning of this poem, we must first understand the idea of a â€Å"metaphysical conceit†. This term is an intricate and intellectual device used very often by 17th Century poets like John Donne. According to www.britannica.com it â€Å"sets up an analogy between one entity’s spiritual qualities and an object in the physical world and sometimes controls the whole structure of the poem.† In the context of â€Å"The Flea†, this spiritual entity is love, lust, and sex, and the â€Å"object† in the physical worldShow MoreRelatedMetaphysical 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. The definition above was according to English language, however according to poetry is†¦. Many poets got involved in metaphysical poetry like: Samuel Johnson who wrote his book which is known as ‘’Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets’’, Henry Vaughan, Andrew Marvel, RichardRead MorePoetry: Donne’s Metaphysical Work 1180 Words   |  5 Pagesif the poet is able to carry sensation into these poems, forming them into passionate experiences through vivid and moving imagery. For uncertain or inexperienced readers not prepared for understatement and subtleties, Donne’s poetry acts as a vivid recruiting device. Such readers need to be grabbed by the shoulders and shaken by the strenuousness of Donne’s metaphysical conceits in order to truly delig ht in the style and theme of a poem. Donne’s far-fetched analogies that challenge ordinary logicRead MoreThe word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive1400 Words   |  6 Pagesdefinitions, 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† (Dictionary.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 works. Furthermore, I willRead More John Donnes Use of Wit Language and Metaphor in Poetry Essay754 Words   |  4 Pagesto be one of the greatest metaphysical poets of our time, even though he published only a small number of poems in his lifetime. The poems he did write were metaphorical and often humorus poems telling the tale of religious love and sex. Being a metaphysical poet he exhibited many characteristics of the metaphysical poets. He wrote with metaphysical wit, metaphysical conceit, metaphors, symbols and paradoxes. If these were some of the things that defined a metaphysical poet, then John Donne is aRead MoreJohn 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 Pagespoetry 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 similar and to prove the speaker’s point in his poem. ParadoxesRead MoreMetaphysical Conceit in John Donnes The Sun Rising Essay685 Words   |  3 PagesMetaphysical Conceit in John Donnes The Sun Rising Have you ever been in love? Have you ever felt a love so strong that nothing else seemed to matter? I hope that you have, but if you havent, John Donnes poem, The Sun Rising, gives a revealing glimpse into the emotional roller coaster that is true love. In the poem, Donne uses what is called a metaphysical conceit to emphasize the strength of the devotion between him and his lover. A metaphysical conceit is a metaphor extendedRead MoreCompare the ways in which Donne presents the experience of love in ‘The Sun Rising’ and ‘The Good Morrow’1588 Words   |  7 Pageslove, in a typical Metaphysical style, to engage his reader through sharing his own experiences. These poems show distinctive characteristics of Metaphysical poems which involve colloquial diction, drawing inventive imagery from unconventional sources, passionately analysing relationships and examining feelings. Donne presents the experience of love through conceits, Metaphysical wit, language techniques and imagery, in a confident tone using logical argument. The impact of Donne’s use of direct andRead MoreEssay about Metaphysical Poetry - the flea + sune rising1703 Words   |  7 Pages Metaphysical poets use startling juxtapositions in their poetry to create a greater significance in their arguments and intended meanings throughout the poem. John Donne is said to be the unsurpassed metaphysical poet, metaphysical poetry being poetry relating to a group of 17-century English poets whose verse is typified by an intellectually arduous style, admitting extended metaphors and comparing very disparate things. In 17th century England new discoveries were being made and social customsRead MoreJohn Donne: An Influential English Poet957 Words   |  4 Pagesmerchant, and Elizabeth Heywood Donne, the daughter of the poet and playwright John Heywood. His father died when Donne was about four years old. His younger brother, Henry, also died in John Donne’s early life. John Donne was raised in a Catholic family. Both of his parents were devout Roman Catholics. During Donne’s early adult life he converted to Anglicanism. The education of John Donne is somewhat confusing because the records are incomplete. There is record of his attending Cambridge and Oxford