preview

Metaphysical Poems

Decent Essays

Metaphysical Poets

John Donne and Andrew Marvell were considered metaphysical poets based on their use of conceit and wit in depicting similar situations through different metaphors. They would use original analogies to create fitting and insightful comparisons, usually to persuade.
John Donne and Andrew Marvell have been called metaphysical poets. This is a,” name given to a group of English lyric poets of the 17th century” (Metaphysical poets)” The term metaphysical poets came to be used almost one hundred years after the death of the two poets. John Donne died John Donne in1631 and Andrew Marvell died in 1678. The term later became known as ‘metaphysical poetry,’ (which was referred to by contemporaries, as ‘strong lived’. The …show more content…

In the second stanza, the speaker argues for the life of the flea, as his lady has moved to kill it. Almost desperate, the speaker describes the flea as holy. “This flea is you and I, and this/Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is” (lines 12-13). He fails to save the flea, as reflected, “[p]urpled thy nail in blood of innocence?” She killed the flea and the speaker’s last chance of having relations with her. The speaker at this point realizes that his chance to have sex with this lady is gone. The speaker realized her killing the flea was his final rejection.
In “To His Coy Mistress,” the speaker is attempting to use a Carpe Diem method to persuade the young lady to make love to him. The speaker attempts to persuade the lady with seize the day. The speaker continues to tell the woman about how short time is, and how they must hurry because no one ever knows how much time is left. This is evident in by how the poem begins, “Had we but world enough, and time,”(page 527) As the poem starts to speed up you realize the speaker is becoming almost desperate. His promises and analogies become so farfetched.”… I would Love you ten years before the flood” (line 8). Marvell uses symbolism, comparisons and metaphors to show the speaker as this passionate lover and the lady would be foolish not to give in to his request.
Clearly the two speakers are Metaphysical poets. They have gone in two different directions to try to

Get Access