Introduction to Metaphysical Poetry

Mrs. Fitzgerald AP English Literature and

Composition

The Tudors

King Henry VIII Edward VI Mary I Elizabeth I

The Stuarts

James I (James VI of Scotland) Charles I Charles II James II William and Mary

Charles I and Parliament

The struggle between King Charles I and Parliament had existed during the reign of James I

Both believed strongly in the divine right of kings

Money and religion were the biggest issues Charles locked the door of Parliament for 11

years

The English Civil War

Charles tried to arrest five members of Parliament

Civil war broke out in 1642 between the Parliamentary forces and the Royalists (Cavaliers)

Oliver Cromwells Parliamentary forces defeated the royalists in 1645

Charles I was beheaded in 1649

The Restoration

Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 to 1658

The monarchy was restored when Parliament offered the crown to Charles II

His successor was his brother James II, a devout Catholic

The Glorious Revolution

Religious differences between Parliament and James II

Parliament invited Jamess daughter Mary to rule with her husband William of Orange

James went into exile but did not go to war Called Glorious because no blood was

shed

Metaphysical Poetry

What is Metaphysical Poetry?

Term coined by Dr. Samuel Johnson Describes the philosophical, or

metaphysical, and intellectual approaches to poetry

Characterized by metaphysical conceits and paradoxes

Metaphysical Conceits

Extended comparisons Links unlikely elements Mixes the abstract and the emotional Ex: linking a flea to a love relationship

Paradoxes

Images that appear self-contradictory but that reveal a deeper truth

Ex: Fair is foul and foul is fair - Shakespeare Ex: The paradox of our time in history is that we

have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. - Dr. Bob Moorehead

Syllogism

Logical argument Made up of major premise(general), minor

premise(specific), and conclusion Ex: All humans are mortal (major premise) I am a human (minor premise) I am mortal (conclusion)

VOCABULARY

PROFANATION (n)

Action showing disrespect for something sacred

LAITY (n)

Those not initiated into a priesthood

TREPIDATION (n)

A trembling

BREACH (n)

A break

CONTENTION (n)

Dispute; argument

PIETY (n)

Devotion to sacred duties

INTERMIT (v)

To stop for a time

COVETOUSNESS (n)

greediness