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Metaphysical Poetry

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Metaphysical poetry, known for its intellectual depth and intricate conceits, delves into themes of love, mortality, and the divine. Figures like John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert masterfully use language to explore philosophical and spiritual questions, leaving a lasting impact on English literature.

Exploring the Essence of Metaphysical Poetry

Metaphysical poetry, which flourished in the early 17th century, is characterized by its intellectual sophistication, intricate metaphors known as conceits, and exploration of philosophical and spiritual themes. The term 'metaphysical' reflects the poets' engagement with subjects beyond the physical, as 'meta' denotes 'beyond' and 'physics' relates to the material world. These poets, including John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert, are noted for their inventive use of language, including puns, paradoxes, and rhetorical devices. Samuel Johnson, who later grouped these poets under the 'metaphysical' label, initially critiqued their style for its perceived excesses.
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The Derivation of the 'Metaphysical Poets' Moniker

The term 'metaphysical poets' was first used by Samuel Johnson in his critical essay published in 1779. Johnson intended the term as a critique of what he saw as the forced and unnatural cleverness of these poets' work. He argued that their complex metaphors and intellectual displays often overshadowed the emotional essence of poetry. However, over time, the term has been stripped of its negative connotations and is now neutrally used to categorize poets who share these stylistic traits.

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00

______, ______, and ______ are among the poets recognized for their creative language in Metaphysical poetry, as categorized by ______.

John Donne

Andrew Marvell

George Herbert

Samuel Johnson

01

Metaphysical poets' initial critique by Johnson

Johnson critiqued metaphysical poets for forced cleverness and overshadowing poetry's emotional core.

02

Evolution of 'metaphysical poets' term

Originally negative, the term now neutrally categorizes poets with complex metaphors and intellectual style.

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