John Donne and metaphysical poetry

In the history of English literature, John Donne is a very important person because he started a new trend in English literature. The way Wordsworth is considered to be the pioneer of Romantic age, in the same way, John Donne is considered to be the pioneer of metaphysical poetry. By breaking away from the traditions of Elizabethan age, Donne tried to create a new style in poetry and it was not very easy for him. Shakespeare was the most prominent poet of Elizabethan age. Instead of following Shakespeare’s style, Donne created this new poetry. During their lifetimes, the metaphysical poets did not gain much fame. Not too many people knew about them. However, twentieth century poets like T.S. Eliot spoke very highly of the metaphysical poets. This made metaphysical poets quite well-known.

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It has been already mentioned that metaphysical poetry was very different from Elizabethan poetry. Metaphysical poetry demanded greater use of knowledge. The poet must be a well-read and knowledgeable person. John Donne did not only talk about the beauty of the beloved or beauty of nature in his poetry, he also tried to present various matters in a new way in his work. Other metaphysical poets also followed Donne’s style. Donne himself was a highly educated person and one can see the reflection of his knowledge in his works. At that time, new countries were being discovered and new thoughts and ideas were being introduced in the society. Donne was highly influenced by these new ideals.

Metaphysical poetry is distinguished by several unique features: unique metaphors, conceit, dramatic starting, dramatic monologue, large and cosmic themes, absence of narrative, and philosophical ideas.

Imagery was a very important aspect of poetry and Donne introduced a new trend in use of imagery in poetry. His images were different compared to those of traditional poetry. Donne was able to break the traditional use of imagery in Elizabethan age. We can see the use of imagery in his poems like “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”, “Sweetest Love, I do not go”, and “Go and Catch a Falling Star”.

However, the biggest feature of Donne’s poetry is the use of conceit. Conceit is a kind of comparison but very different from regular comparison. In fact, it is a kind of abnormal comparison. In many cases, Donne’s use of conceit was very interesting. Sometimes he highly praised his beloved and sometimes he ridiculed her. Aside from her beloved, he presented many new thoughts and ideas which nobody of his age could have come up with. Some examples are given below:

In his poem “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”, the poet has used an elaborated and extended conceit by making a comparison between the two lovers and a pair of compasses. The separation of the husband and wife in this poem is like the movement of one leg of the compass while the other leg is fixed at the centre.

We can also see the use of metaphysical conceit in “Sweetest Love, I do not go”. In this poem, the poet has compared his beloved’s tears with blood. He said that tears shed by his beloved are nothing but the blood in his veins.

“Go and Catch a Falling Star” is another poem written by John Donne where he has shown the use of many metaphysical conceits. One of the most important conceits of this poem is the comparison between star and woman. He said that catching a star is equally impossible like finding out a truthful and fair woman. He also said that if a man, who is born with the power to see strange sights, rides ten thousand days and nights and travels all over the world till his hair turn grey and on return tells the poet all the wonderful things and happenings, he will not be able to swear an oath that he ever found a fair and faithful woman.

There is a noticeable usage of wit in Donne’s poetry. Because of Donne’s extensive usage of wits, his poetry became very enjoyable.

It was later age of the Elizabethan period; English traders were travelling all over the world and competing with other European traders in discovering new countries. New country means new men and resources. English traders were competing with traders of Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Holland in discovering new countries. This had a positive effect. European society came in contact with new thoughts and ideas from all over the world. We see that reflection in Donne’s poetry. Donne talked about East Indies and West Indies, North Pole and South Pole in his poetry which was quite uncommon at that time.

Probably the biggest feature of metaphysical poetry is to break the poetic tradition of Elizabethan period. By doing so, Donne presented everything. In this age, it is not possible for us to understand Donne’s work. It is a matter of great achievement for any poet to break away from the tradition of a powerful poet like Shakespeare and start a new trend. This is why, Donne deserves readers’ praise.