Unique characteristics and features of metaphysical poetry

Introduction 

Metaphysical poetry has unique characteristics that clearly distinguish it from other types of poems. Poems classified into this group have several attributes including strange imagery, immense intelligence, excessive use of paradox, and complicated thoughts. The term “metaphysical poetry” was first coined by Samuel Johnson, a literary critic in his book known as “Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets.” In his book, Johnson talks about 17 th -century poets that shared similar aspects in their poems such as an elaborate style and immense wit in their texts. The poets also showed philosophical exploration and traversed several topics of interest including religion, love, and mortality among others (Lupton, 2018). Over the years, the grouping of metaphysical poems has primarily depended on their ability to show similar characteristic and styles employed by various poets. 

Features of Metaphysical Poetry 

First, it remains important to note that the poets did not classify themselves as the "metaphysical poets." The name came due to the work of Samuel Johnson, who wanted to classify the particular poetry that was developed by his contemporaries. According to his assessment in the book, the 17 th century was endowed with a class of writers who warranted the tag metaphysical poets (Lupton, 2018). The reason behind his evaluation was that they shared specific general characteristics especially those that followed an intricate style characterized by wit. Some of the common characteristics associated with the poem include colloquial diction, philosophical exploration, irony, ingenious conceits, and metrically flexible lines. As earlier mentioned, some of the themes that were evident in this type of poetry included religion, love, and mortality among others. The poets also made unusual comparisons and furthered their thoughts using unorthodox metaphors and similes that displayed a sense of wit. 

One of the godfathers of the metaphysical poem is John Donne. He is a critical figure and regarded by many as a pioneer in this form of literature. Other notable personalities that have gained a reputation for their exploits in metaphysical poetry include Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, Richard Crashaw, and Abraham Cowley among others (Lupton, 2018). From the characteristics, it remains fundamental to appreciate that these poems are easily distinguishable from others. Additionally, the discussion fronted in the poems centered on the existence of God and human perception of the world. IT also sought to question the unquestionable and find answers where solutions seemed limited. It encompassed strange and unconventional comparisons thus creating a weird atmosphere. 

Metaphysical Poems 

As earlier intimated, John Donne is arguably one of the most studied metaphysical poets due to his pioneer status. One of his works that qualified as a metaphysical poem was "The Dream." The poem is famous and has received many praise and attention from literary critics. First, the main theme expressed in the poem is that of love. However, unlike other conventional poems, the love is expressed metaphysically. He also utilizes far-fetched images throughout the text. He employs words that inspire conceit such as "torch," "lightning," "profane," and "mixture." The speaker in the poem is a lover who addresses his beloved. Instead of basing his dream on imagination, he instead fixes it on logic and reasoning. He writes, "Dearest, for nothing worth less than you would I have woken from this dream; for reality was stronger than fantasy" (The Dream, John Donne). The poem further uses intense irony in the lines such as where he says, "Yet I thought thee-For thou lovest truth-an angel, at first sight." The comparison between his love and the torch results in an element of shame, fear, and sin something that is uncharacteristic for pure love. 

Another poet that made strides in the field of metaphysical poems was Abraham Cowley. Just like Donne, he uses deep imagery and simile in his poem “The Alter.” His main theme is a religious one as he draws the position of God in numerous instances within his text. The altar is used as an interchangeable symbolism to represent his heart and a religious object. He says that the altar is “made of heart and cemented with tears” to depict the unorthodox imagery common in metaphysical poems. Although Cowley also builds on his conceit, he uses a different approach to that of Donne. Cowley employs a typographical structure that resembles a true altar hence showing the extent to which the poem employs conceit as a characteristic. Another classical metaphysical poet was Andrew Marvel. His work, “The Garden” employs various characteristics such as allusion, conceit, and forceful arguments that qualify the particular genre. Typical of a metaphysical poem, it draws its inspiration from sources such as the Bible, metaphysical philosophies, and myths. Other than conceit, it shows immense use of far-fetched images, similes, irony, and wit. Some of the mythological aspects of the poem include god Apollo and the Biblical Abraham. Just as the previous authors, he shows a level of unorthodoxy when he personified and sexualized a tree. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, over the years, the grouping of metaphysical poems has depended mainly on their ability to show similar characteristic and styles employed by various poets. The poems have several attributes including conceit, strange imagery, immense intelligence, excessive use of paradox, and complicated thoughts. The subject discussed is in most situations complicated and seeks to question the position of God and how humans perceive their worldview. Topics discussed can range from range from religion to love and nature. The poems by Donne, Cowley, and Marvel use of more or less similar characteristics in their works warrant their classification as metaphysical poets. 

Reference 

Lupton, J. R. (2018). The Insistence of Art: Aesthetic Philosophy after Early Modernity. Shakespeare Studies, 46, 279.