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The word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive

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The word Wit has multiple definitions, most of which metaphysical poets use in their distinctive poetic style. Definitions for wit include: “the keen perception and cleverly apt expression of those connections between ideas that awaken amusement and pleasure” (Dictionary.com 2014) and “understanding, intelligence, or sagacity, astuteness” (Dictionary.com 2014).
In this paper I will unpack the main features of metaphysical poetry and explore the relevance of wit and conceit in relation to John Donne’s works. Furthermore, I will endeavour to make connections between John Donne, the person and John Donne, the poet. By analysing different poems I will draw on Donne’s history, poetic style, and era to ascertain whether Donne’s use of wit is a …show more content…

In 1601, Donne’s life’s successes were reversed after secretly marrying Anne Moore with whom he had twelve children. Their marriage ruined his career and he was sent to prison with Samuel Brooke who married them. The Donne family lived in poverty for ten years and was dependent on the charity of friends, family and patrons. Donne’s works reflects his life’s journey where in the early years when he was enjoying womanizing, travelling and building his career, he wrote his love poems. However, during Donne’s lean years, he wrote his divine poems and elegies for patrons. During the early 1600’s after being forced to convert to Anglicanism by King James I and the death of his wife Anne in 1617, “Donne continued to write poetry, notably his Holy Sonnets (1618)” (Jokinen, 2006). He was consumed with grief by the loss of his wife for whom he wrote the seventeenth Holy Sonnet, “Since she whom I lov’d hath paid her last debt” (Jokinen, 2006). In the later years of his life Donne’s work focused on death. His private meditations are testimony to his mind set during this time of his life. Most notably is “Meditation 17, which include the immortal lines ‘No man is an island’ and ‘never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee’” (Jokinen, 2006).
The works of John Donne continues to evoke discordance among literary critics. Donne, who is acknowledged as being the leader in metaphysical

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