Transcript Introduction to Metaphysical Poetry

 Civil
War in England under Charles I
 1649 King Charles I beheaded and this led to
end of monarchy for a time.
 Revolutions in science and religion had
changed long-standing beliefs/traditions
 Charles I always in need of $, and Parliament
refused to provide it.
 Charles I known for forcing poor into service
(soldiers and sailors), taking loans from
wealthy subjects, and forcing Puritan clergy
to conform to Anglican religious practices.
 Those who refused his orders were tortured
like criminals.
 Ongoing
battle between Charles I of England
and Parliament grew intense, resulting in
Puritan writers voicing their disapproval
 John Milton – 1640s wrote pamphlets for the
Puritan cause. One called for freedom of
press.
 Milton also wrote Paradise Lost, an epic
poem detailing Puritan devotion to God
 John Bunyan writes The Pilgrim’s Progress
 The
English Commonwealth replaced
monarchy after Charles I
 Oliver Cromwell led this form of government
 Cromwell was just another dictator and
banned fancy clothing, dancing, theatre,
newspapers, and more.
 1660 monarch back on the throne – less rigid
structure led to more religious and political
freedom
 Charles II ruled. He loved arts and sciences
and invited Italian composers and Dutch
painters to live in London.
 Catholic
James II takes throne after Charles
II, again leading to religious differences.
 James II known for leading “The Glorious
Revolution” where no blood was shed after
Protestants (Mary and William of Orange)
were invited to rule.
 James II chose to flee to France rather than
fight.
 Late
1600s = Agricultural Revolution when
new tools were invented
 1687 Sir Issac Newton published his study of
gravity
 Industrial Age = British Invention of cotton
factories, perfection of the steam engine,
and more merchants
 Despite these advances, many British still
farmed
 By the late 1700s, progress meant misery due
to pollution and poor working conditions
 The Enlightenment = Belief that humans
could discover the order of things by studying
nature
 Ben
Jonson (1572-1637) created a modern,
strong voice that went against Elizabethan
style. He strove for perfection and harmony.
 Jonson influenced other male poets known as
“Sons of Ben,” which included Robert
Herrick, Sir John Suckling, and Richard
Lovelace
 John Donne (1572-1631) created a new, witty
style of writing known as Metaphysical
Poetry
 George Herbert and Andrew Marvell followed
Donne
Concern with philosophical issues
 Witty tone
 Conceits = extended comparisons that link
objects/ideas not commonly associated with one
another. (Example = Donne’s comparison of two
lovers and two legs of a drawing compass.)
 Paradoxes = Images or descriptions that seem to
contradict one another, but reveal a deeper truth.
(Example = Donne’s line, “Death, thou shalt die.”)
 John Donne’s love poems categorized in The
Youthful Phase of Donne and his religious works
categorized in Donne’s Later Phase.
 His religious works were a result of his
appointment as clergyman in 1621.
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1660 - 1700 was known as The Restoration when
John Dryden dominated literature
Dryden was named Poet Laureate (England’s Poet for
Life) by Charles II
Writers enjoyed harmony, restraint, and clarity
Generalities favored over viewpoint of the individual
Satires poked fun at society and thoughts were
expressed in short, quotable sentences
Writers of the time included: Dryden, Alexander
Pope, Jonathon Swift (Gulliver’s Travels), Daniel
Defoe (Robinson Crusoe), Addison and Steele, and
Samuel Johnson (1775 The Dictionary of the English
Language).
Enlightenment Era flourished 1790-1800
 Late
1700s = progress previously celebrated
by Enlightenment thinkers lost
 Writers turned away from Neoclassicism
(emphasis on courage from Greek and Latin
epics)
 Fresh, new emotion prevalent in literature
 1800s would be a brand new literary age
complete with a new focus and new voices.
Kinsella, Kate, et al. Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes: The British Tradition. Upper
Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005. 408-418. Print.
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What led to Civil War in England? In what year did
the war end and how?
Describe Charles I
Who was John Milton, and what is he known for?
What was the English Commonwealth, and who led it?
When the monarchy was re-established in 1660, who
was on the throne? Describe this period of time for
England.
Who was Charles II’s successor, and what is he known
for?
Who is credited with creating Metaphysical Poetry?
What are the characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry?
 Name
two characteristics of Metaphysical
Poetry
 Name two other writers of Metaphysical
Poetry.
 During The Restoration Period (1660-1700),
who is said to have dominated literature?
 Characteristics of Restoration
writers/literature?
 Names of a few important writers of this
time?