LITERARY MOVEMENT:

METAPHYSICAL
A discussion by Group 1

Members:
Bacual, Rhome Gerrick
Bondoc, Angel Rose
Cabral, Ma.Joanna
Caliwag, Maxenne
Celis, Vincent Joshua
Chavenia, Princess Diane
Vargas, Trixie

BSED ENGLISH 1D

LIT 102: LITERARY CRITICISM

Ladignon, Heidi M.
Instructor:
METAPHYSICAL POETRY

Metaphysical poetry is a genre of poetry that deals with deep and profound
subjects like spirituality, religion, etc. It is a highly intellectual form of poetry and presents
the world to its readers in a different way. It ask questions that science cannot answer.
Metaphysical poetry prompts the readers to question their reality and existence. It takes
one beyond the physical world and gives new perspectives through its imagery, wit, and
paradox.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD METAPHYSICAL POETRY

In the book “Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1179-1781)”, the author
Samuel Johnson made the first use of the word Metaphysical Poetry. He used the term
Metaphysical poets to define a loose group of the poets of 17th century. The group was
not formal and most of the poets put in this category did not know or read each other’s
writings. This group’s most prominent poets include John Donne, Andrew Marvell,
Abraham Cowley, George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, Thomas Traherne, Richard
Crashaw, and others. He noted in his writing that all of these poets had the same style of
wit and conceit in their poetry.

The types of questions metaphysical poetry may make you ask yourself can be:

Is our world real or a projection?

Is there an afterlife?
Can souls time travel?
Is God out there?
Are we restricted in our bodies or free?
Is fate real?

FEATURES / CHARACTERISTICS OF METAPHYSICAL POETRY

• Text are based on wit and often deal with serious questions about the existence of God
and the tendency of human beings to perceive this world.
• Offer comparisons of unlikely things and are loaded with conceits, paradoxes, and irony.
• They are argumentative, intellectual, and realistic.
• The most important characteristics of metaphysical poetry is “undissociated sensibility”
(the combination of feeling and thoughts).
• Even though it talks about serious stuff, it talks about it in a humorous way. The tone is
sometimes light. It can be harsh sometimes too.
• Another characteristic of such poetry is that it is unclear.
• Metaphysical poetry is also short.
• The metaphysical poetry is brain-sprung, not heart-felt. It is intellectual and witty.

FUNCTIONS

• Metaphysical poetry serves as a pause for the audience. It provides them with an
opportunity to ponder over the ideas that are not commonly seen and are unique.
• The challenging approach of metaphysical poetry allows the readers to concentrate on
the things that exist beyond this world.
• It also allows the writers to express their inner thoughts in the verses though higher
cognitive skills are required to understand the concepts and abstract ideas presented in
metaphysical texts.

EXAMPLES OF METAPHYSICAL POETRY

The Flea by John Donne

Mark but this flea, and mark in this,
How little that which thou deniest me is;
It sucked me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be; […]

The Collar by George Herbert

[…] But as I raved and grew more fierce and wild
At every word,
Methought I heard one calling, Child!
And I replied My Lord.

References:
https://poemanalysis.com/movement/metaphysical-
poetry/#:~:text=Metaphysical%20poetry%20is%20marked%20by,irony%20to%20philos
ophy%20and%20conceits.

https://literaryenglish.com/what-is-metaphysical-poetry-definition-and-characteristics/
DEFINITION: (Caliwag, Maxenne)

The term "metaphysics" is a combination of two words 'meta' and 'physics'.

Wherein "Meta" means beyond or above and physics means natural/physical.
Metaphysical Poetry is a philosophical concept used in literature where poets portray the
things or ideas that are beyond the depiction of physical existence that we cannot see
with our bare or naked eyes, it is totally dependent upon our imagination and it cannot be
explained by science.

ORIGIN: (Chavenia, Princess Diane)

Metaphysical Poetry is a name frequently joined to an inexactly associated

gathering of seventeenth-century writers, among whom the focal figures are John Donne,
George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, Andrew Marvell, and Richard Crashaw. Although this
is more clearly a feature of Donne's work than it is of the other members of the group, it
is commonly held that the group was united through the use of far-fetched comparisons,
or "conceits," that brought attention to their own inventiveness. It has likewise in some
cases been recommended that these artists are supernatural as in they join suspected
(or powerful hypothesis) with feeling in manners that were unmistakable to the
seventeenth century. This assertion also applies to some poets and poems more than
others.

(Cabral, Ma.Joanna)

Michael Donkor characterizes John Donne as a metaphysical poet and

investigates the original and distinctive manner in which Donne utilized philosophical
ideas.
It is crucial to analyze John Donne's poetry in-depth since doing so requires taking
into account the premise that he is a "metaphysical" poet.
The fact that Donne and the other "metaphysical" poets of the 16th and 17th
centuries—Carew, Vaughan, and Marvell, to name a few of the best-known—did not unite
into a cohesive movement during their own lifetimes is noteworthy. Due to their shared
aesthetic qualities, notably a dazzling uniqueness and linguistic immediacy, they have
been categorized together for ages. Several detractors, including as the 18th-century
author Samuel Johnson, have attacked metaphysical

John Cleveland, Andrew Marvell, Richard Crashaw, and George Herbert are a few
of the individuals in the hazily connected group. The Metaphysical Poets were noted for
using extended metaphors known as conceits to startle readers and inspire new
viewpoints. They were also recognized for their use of contradicting images, complex
logic, innovative syntax, and imagery from art, philosophy, and religion. Donne's precise
and astute ideas transcended the logical and hierarchical structures of the seventeenth
century, advancing the inquisitive spirit of his day.

FEATURES: (Bondoc, Angel Rose)

1st
When someone says that metaphysical discussions are characterized by a
humorous tone, it means that despite dealing with weighty and complex ideas, the
language used to express them is sometimes light-hearted or witty.

On the other hand, a harsh tone in metaphysical discussions may refer to a critical
or judgmental attitude towards certain ideas or beliefs. This could involve challenging
assumptions or beliefs that are commonly accepted, and using strong language to
express disagreement or criticism.

Overall, the tone of a metaphysical discussion can vary depending on the

individual or group engaged in the conversation, as well as the specific ideas being
explored. Some may approach the subject matter with a lighthearted or playful tone, while
others may take a more serious or critical approach.

2nd
when people say that metaphysical poetry is "unclear," they mean that it can be
difficult to understand due to its complex and abstract nature, and its exploration of
philosophical and theological concepts that may not be familiar to all readers. However,
with careful reading and attention to detail, the meaning and beauty of metaphysical
poetry can be appreciated and enjoyed.

3rd
Additionally, when someone says that Metaphysical poetry is "short," they may be
referring to the fact that many Metaphysical poems are relatively brief in length, often
consisting of only a few stanzas. This brevity can make the poetry seem concise and
tightly focused, with each word and image carefully chosen to convey the poet's meaning.

4th
The poets were more concerned with intellectual ideas than with emotional
outpourings, and their poetry was often characterized by its sharp, witty, and intellectual
nature.
 Overall, the characterization of metaphysical poetry as "brain-sprung, not heart-
felt" emphasizes its focus on intellect, reason, and wit, rather than on pure emotion or
sentimentality.

FUNCTIONS: (Vargas, Trixie)

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the fundamental nature of

reality and the scope of our existence as human beings. In simple terms, metaphysics
deals with things that are larger than life and tries to give an understanding of what they
mean and how significant they can be to us.

The study of metaphysics can be pretty deep, and only a few people may want to
delve into it. However, it has its uses and can be pretty handy when you ponder about
your existence and where your efforts and actions will go in the future. In a world full of
technology and almost anything that can get explained by science, metaphysical thought
still has its niche and can help you in the following aspects of your life.

EXAMPLES: (Bacual, Rhome Gerrick)

Examples of Metaphysical Poems

• ‘The Flea’ is one of the most commonly cited examples of a metaphysical poem, it is
also one of Donne’s best. The poem makes a familiar argument in a very original way.

Can someone read and give their insight about the poem, 'The Flea'?

Donne’s speaker suggests to a woman that he wants to sleep with that it’s fine for them
to get together because the same flea has fed on the blood from both their bodies. They’re
already experienced their fluids mixing.

Can someone read and give their insight about the poem, 'The Collar''?

•‘The Collar’ is one of Herbert’s best-known poems. In this poem, the poet speaks about
the “collar” that a Christian priest is recognized by. (It’s interesting to note that Herbert
was a priest himself.) He depicts the collar as something that restricts one’s freedom in
an intolerable way.
CONCLUSION: (Celis, Vincent Joshua)

Metaphysical poetry should be read with an open mind. It does not try to persuade
readers to think in certain ways, but rather gives a new way of thinking. Further,
Metaphysical poets are highly intellectual and scholarly individuals. Readers' minds are
opened up, their range of thinking expands, and they are awakened as a result of their
words.

The challenging approach of such poetry enhances readers' concentration on

things that exist beyond this physical world. It also allows poets to express their inner
thoughts through poetry, albeit higher cognitive skills are required to comprehend the
abstract ideas and notions coined in metaphysical texts of poetry.

Moreover, metaphysical poetry is not meant to be read passively. Its use of

paradox, imagery, conceit, and wit is intended to rouse the reader. It asks philosophical
concerns regarding religion, faith, spirituality, and being.