The term 'metaphysical poetry' is commonly used to name the work of the 17th-century writers who wrote under the influence of John Donne(1572-1631).With a rebellious spirit,the metaphysical poets tried to break away from the conventional fashion of the Elizabethan love poetry.The diction is simple as compared with that of the Elizabethan or the Neoclassic periods,and echoes the words and cadences of common speech.The imagery is drawn from the actual life.The form is frequently that of an argument with the poet's beloved,with God,or with himeself.Donne and his followers,due to the change of the taste,were rarely read during the 18th and early 19th centuries.However,the late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a renewed interest in Donne and other metaphysical poets.This new recognition has arisen from a realization of the seriousness of their art,an interest in their spirit of revolt,their realism,and other affinities with modern interests,as well as from the fact that they produced some fine poetry.T.S.Eliot,John Ransom,and Allen Tate are examples of modern poets who have been mostly affected by the metaphysical influence.
John Donne is the leading figure of the 'metaphysical school'.His poems give a more inherently theatrical impression by exhibiting a seemingly unfocused diversity of experiences and attitudes,and a free range of feelings and moods.The mode is dynamic rather than static,with ingenuity of speech,vividness of imagery and vitality of thythms,which show a notable contrast to the other Elizabethan lyric poems which are pure,serene,tuneful,and smooth-running.The most striking features of Donne's poetry is precisely its tang of reality,in the sense that it seems to reflect life in a real rather than a poetical world.Herbert,Vaughan,Crashaw,Marvell and Cowley are also considered to be metaphysical poets.(This eassy is used for study and noncommercial purposes,you have to have special permission to copy this article,reproduction of material without written permission is strictly prohibited.Contact me for permission to copy this eassy,email adress:exiven@163.com this eassy is taken from "Selected Readings In English And American Literatures,Editor in chief:張伯香 Subeditor: 馬建君 鬍曉紅 Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press） |