METAPHYSICAL CONTEXT

What do the metaphysical poets enjoy?

paradox, ingenuity and quirky logic

Who do they speak to?

the reader

What speech do they use?

colloquial which was daring for the time

How did they reflect strong emotions?

vivid imagery

What is a conceit?

extended exploration of idea or train of thought through a particular image or thought

When were the metaphysicals?

17th century

What are the conceits like?

unconventional, far fetched or fanciful

What kind of language vs syntax is used?

simple language vs complex syntax

What 3 categories can Donne’s work be split into?

love, religion and other pieces such as satires and verse letters

What was Donne’s life like?

family was roman catholic and thus persecuted, married 17 year old Ann More (disastrous)

What is Donne’s poetry like regarding women?

can be seen as patronising but at least he considers the womans intellect

What was Donne trained in?

the rhetoric of the law but his feelings and beliefs were constantly in conflict (eg catholic but ordained in CofE)

What do the elements of comedy cause?

doubt on initial reading of gender roles

What kind of love us presented?

erotic love

How do metaphysical poets tend to talk?

boldy with puns

What do the poets appear aware of?

their own mortality

What kind of era was this regarding science?

scientific discovery (Copernicus, Galileo) and exploration meant poets often used scientific, astronomical or cartographical imagery to describe love

How is the microcosm/macrocosm used?

treating small physical spaces (eg flea) as a ‘little world’ than represents the entire universe

What religious language is used?

to describe sexual love and sexual language for divine language