UGC NET UNIT 2 POETRY Features of Metaphysical Poetry IGNOU MEG01 Amend Education Academy Rohini Poonam Dua

Metaphysical poetry one of the most entertaining category is a little bit different from other genres . The poems classified in this group do share common characteristics: they are all highly witty, use rather strange imagery, use frequent paradox and contain extremely complicated thought.

Here are some characteristics of metaphysical poetry

Themes: Metaphysical poetry is at times related to religion & has often religious themes. For example :Batter my Heart" from John Donne. Moreover, it focuses on love, as the union of soul. Most of the poems of John Donne fall under this category.In addition, many of the poems explored the theme of carpe diem (seize the day) and investigated the humanity of life.

Literary Devices: Metaphysical poetry uses metaphors, hyperbole and paradoxes to create drama & tension. In addition, Metaphysical poetry uses scientific, medical & legal words & phrases to create arguments about the philosophical aspect of life.

Poets: Metaphysical poets were men of high intellect. They were all graduated from Oxford University, Cambridge University or they studied at one of the Inns of Court in the city of London. With the help of their vast knowledge, they presented new ideas & stories to their readers.

Unclarity: Metaphysical poetry is considered highly ambiguous & obscure due to high intellect & knowledge of metaphysical poets. The poetry is greatly challenging to understand at the first reading. It needs full concentration & full attention to getting to the roots of the matter.

Short Poems: Metaphysical poetry is considered to be brief & to the point. Every line conveys a lot of meanings in a few words. Every word is adjusted in every line like a cell in a body & conveys the message of the author. Hence there is no wastage of words.

Sayings in the Poetry: Metaphysical poetry is a vast collection of maxims & sayings. Thus epigrammatic quality is part & parcel of the metaphysical poetry. John Donne is a pioneer in this regard.

Metaphysical Conceits: Fondness for conceits is a major character of metaphysical poetry. Donne often uses fantastic comparisons. The most striking and famous one used by Donne is the comparison of a man who travels and his beloved who stays at home to a pair of compasses in the poem “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” –
“If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two,
Thy soul fixt foot makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’other do”.

A significant feature of the metaphysical poetry is the use of metaphysical conceits. It is the unique quality of metaphysical poetry. A conceit is a comparison of two dissimilar things, which may have very little in common. E.g. John Donne  in his poem “The Flea” compares his and his lover's consummation of marriage to the blood sucking by a flea.

Originality: Originality is the benchmark of metaphysical poets. All the metaphysical poets were unique & original in their ideas & thoughts. They didn’t follow the path of their contemporary poets. They stood against their contemporaries & followed their own way of writing poetry.

Wit: Metaphysical wit is also a noteworthy feature of metaphysical poetry. Metaphysical wit is the expression of one’s idea & thoughts, using aptly & technically, the words & various figures of speech in such a manner as to provide pleasure to the readers. John Donne is called the “Monarch of Wit” in the history of metaphysical poetry.
Platonic Love: Platonic love is another feature of metaphysical poetry. Platonic love means, spiritual love, which is free from elements of physical love.

Conclusion
Metaphysical poetry is not intended to be read in a passive way. Its use of paradox, imagery, conceit & wit is meant to awaken the reader. Metaphysical poetry asks the philosophical questions about religion, faith, spirituality & being.