Metaphysical Poetry Intro - Penguin Classics

1663: Christopher Harvey dies.
1664: Katherine Philips' Poems printed; she dies.
1665: Plague and Second Anglo-Dutch War. Edward, Lord Herbert's Occasional Verses printed.
1666: Great Fire of London.
1667: Abraham Cowley dies. John Milton's Paradise Lost printed.
1668: Owen Felltham dies; Sir William Davenant dies.
1669: Henry King dies.
1672: Anne Bradstreet dies.
1673: Sir William Davenant's Works printed.
1674: Thomas Traherne dies; John Milton dies.
1675: Richard Leigh's Poems on Several Occasions printed.
1678: Popish Plot; Exclusion Crisis (attempt to prevent succession of James II). Andrew Marvell dies; Thomas Stanley dies. Henry Vaughan's Thalia Rediviva printed.
1680: John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, dies.
1681: Andrew Marvell's Miscellaneous Poems printed.
1682: Thomas Philipot dies.
1685: Charles II dies. Accession of James II.
1687: Edmund Waller dies.
1688: Glorious Revolution; James II flees to France.
1689: William of Orange and Mary proclaimed King and Queen.
1691: Thomas Heyrick's Miscellany Poems printed.
1694: Thomas Heyrick dies.
1695: Henry Vaughan dies.
1700: John Dryden dies.

The term 'metaphysical' in poetry often confuses due to its vague nature.
Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines it:
- Coined by Samuel Johnson in reference to 17th-century poets like John Donne and Abraham Cowley.
- Indicates "witty conceits" and complex imagery.

Historical Use:
- 1532: Thomas More critiques Protestant reformers using metaphysical to mean 'supernatural and specious'.
- 1693: Dryden accuses Donne of indulging in metaphysics in his love poetry.

Johnson’s View:
- Metaphysical poets viewed as detached observers rather than emotional participants.
- Their poems criticized for jarring combinations of unrelated thoughts.

Initially met with skepticism and derision; viewed in a sneering tone.
Critical Revival (20th century): Metaphysical poetry gained positive reevaluation starting with T.S. Eliot.

Metaphysical poets often lumped together, disregarding their individual voices and styles.
Not all poems fit the metaphysical label as it suggests a commonality that may not exist.

John Donne: Central figure in metaphysical poetry, marking its origin.
Early works entail:
- Erotic elegies and satires influenced by Ovid.
- Reflects experiences of love and urban life of late Elizabethan England.

Love and Desire: Explores bodily love intertwined with deep emotions and contemplative thought.
Imagery: Combines scientific and emotional motifs, manifesting the complexity of human experience.
Posthumous Themes: Many poems envision the afterlife and the legacy of love.

Marvell’s work showcases a unique blend of lightness and deep reflection on the human condition.
Reflects on personal and political tumult through his poetry, representing a significant evolution in metaphysical creativity.

Works from later poets often seem formulaic and derivative of Donne's innovations.
This trend suggests a stagnation in the metaphysical genre, leading to a more superficial exploration of its themes.

Lots of later poets cared less about deep thematic explorations, often reflecting mere echoes of Donne's brilliance, resulting in less impactful works.

Metaphysical poetry cannot be confined to a strict definition or style.
It remains a significant branch of poetic exploration rich with emotional and intellectual depth.
The label has been problematic, often uniting diverse voices under questionable commonality.
Changing political and cultural landscapes influenced the evolution and perception of metaphysical poetry throughout its history.