Lecture 5 Metaphysical Poetry

George Herbert Richard Crashaw Henry Vaughan

• George Herbert Richard Crashaw Henry Vaughan
• followed in the tradition of John Donne (1572-1631);
• misleading term “metaphysical “ used by literary critic Samuel Johnson, the 18th century;
• the poetry did not deal with philosophical speculation but with the themes of religion and love;
• Johnson used the word “metaphysical” to criticise what he considered to be the poets’ desire to be original at any cost;
• 18th and 19th centuries - the Metaphysical poets were unpopular;
• beginning of the 20th century - T.S. Eliot helped generate new appreciation for Donne and his followers

Founder: Ben Jonson (1572-1638), prominent poet and dramatist

• Founder: Ben Jonson (1572-1638), prominent poet and dramatist
• lyrical poetry :
• To the Memory of My Beloved
• Master William Shakespeare
• Song to Celia

Ben Jonson’s plays:

• Ben Jonson’s plays:
• Every Man in His Humour (comedy)
• Volpone, or the Fox (comedy)
• The Silent Woman (comedy)
• The Alchemist (comedy)
• Sejanus His Fall (tragedy)
• Catiline His Conspiracy (tragedy)

Sons of Ben or the Tribe of Ben

• Sons of Ben or the Tribe of Ben
• Robert Herrick (1591-1674)
• Richard Lovelace (1618-1657)

Basic genres:

• Basic genres:
• pastoral elegy
• epic poetry
• lyrical poetry
• poetic drama
• political pamphlets
• Authored:
• Comus
• Arcades
• Lucidas
• Paradise Lost
• Paradise Regained
• Samson Agonistes