Metaphysical Qualities in Donne’s Poetry
The Sun Rising is a notable literary work by John Donne. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Sun Rising.
Answer
Trace metaphysical qualities in Donne’s poetry.
Or Evaluate Donne as a metaphysical love and religious poet.
Or write about how Donne’s treatment of love in his poems is metaphysical.
Or Mention and analyze metaphysical traits in Donne’s poetry. [NU: 2016, 2018]
John Donne (1571/72-1631) is the pioneer and most prominent metaphysical poet of the 17th century. His (love) poems are widely celebrated and notable for their metaphysical qualities, such as subject matter, use of conceits, witty argument, dramatic quality, passionate thinking, and so on.
His works, including “The Sun Rising,” “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” and “The Canonization,” exemplify his metaphysical style and thematic exploration of love. Let’s evaluate Donne’s metaphysical approach.
Subject Matter: Metaphysical Poetry deals with abstract subject matter, such as Love, God, Religion, Death, etc. We can trace these themes in his famous love poems. Donne’s “The Sun Rising” is an excellent example of his treatment of love. In this poem, the speaker rebukes the sun, telling it to go away because it’s interrupting a special moment with his lover.
Busy old fool, unruly Sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains call on us?
The speaker argues that the lovers are complete and content with each other; they don’t need anything else. Their bedroom is the whole world to them. Similarly, “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” is a poem about two lovers saying goodbye. The poem uses clever words and imagery to show the deep and lasting bond between the lovers. “The Canonization” is a poem where the speaker defends his love against people who criticize it.
Use of Conceit: Conceits are the striking features of metaphysical poetry, and Donne’s poems are the best example. Conceit is a striking example of two far-fetched things the poet uses to make his argument.
“A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” is about two lovers saying goodbye. In this poem. Donne compares the lovers with the legs of a drawing compass, with one leg fixed at home and the other exploring theUnlock this study guide now