Critically discuss the characteristics of the Metaphysical school of poetry with particular reference to the poems in your syllabus.
Answer: The term metaphysical or
metaphysics in poetry is the fruit of renaissance tree, becoming over ripe and
approaching pure science. “Meta” means “beyond” and “physics” means “physical
nature”. Metaphysical poetry means poetry that goes beyond the physical world
of the senses and explores the spiritual world. Metaphysical poetry began early
in the Jacobean age in the last stage of the age of Shakespeare.
John Donne was the leader and
founder of the metaphysical school of poetry. Dryden used this word at first
and said that Donne “affects the metaphysics”. Among other metaphysical poets
are Abraham Cowley, Henry Vaughan, Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell, George
Herbert, Robert Herrick etc.
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
(1) Dramatic manner and direct tone of speech is one of the main characteristics of
metaphysical poetry. In the starting line of the poem “The Canonization” –
there is given a dramatic starting –
“For God’s sake hold your tongue, and let me love”.
(2) Concentration is an important quality of metaphysical poetry in general and
Donne’s poetry is particular. In his all poems, the reader is held to one idea
or line of argument. Donne’s poems are brief and closely woven. In “The
Extasie”, the principal argument is that the function of man as a man is being
worthily performed through different acts of love. He continues with the theme
without digression. For instance,
“As ‘twixt two equal armies, Fate
Suspends uncertain victorie,
Our souls, (which to advance their state,
Were gone out,) hung ‘twixt her and me”.
(3) An expanded epigram would be a fitting description of a metaphysical poem. Nothing is
described in detail nor is any word wasted. There is a wiry strength in the
style. Though the verse forms are usually simple, they are always suitable in
enforcing the sense of the poem. For instance –
“Moving of th’earth brings harms and fears
Men reckon what it did and meant,
