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John Donne (1572-1631). I.Introduction 1.Metaphysical School 2.Conceits II.The poem “The Flea” III. The poem “Holy Sonnet 10” or ”Death, Thou Not Be Proud”. Metaphysical School. A diverse group of 17th century English poets use of intellectual concepts in surprising conceits
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I.Introduction • 1.Metaphysical School • 2.Conceits • II.The poem “The Flea” • III. The poem “Holy Sonnet 10” or ”Death, Thou Not Be Proud”
Metaphysical School • A diverse group of 17th century English poets • use of intellectual concepts in surprising conceits • Poets of this school • John Donne • Andrew Marvel • George Herbert • Richard Crashaw etc.
Conceits • strange paradoxes • far-fetched imagery. • comparisons that seem far apart • “Most heterogeneous ideas are yoked by force togeter” • (Samuel Johnson)
Brief Introduction to John Donne • 1.His life • 2.His poems • 1)use of conceits • 2)complicated reasoning • 3)drama • 4)tone of his poems • 5) suggestions of sensual and physical love • 3.His influence
The poem “The Flea” • The speaker: • an amorous man • The addressee: • a somewhat reluctant lady • The situation: • the man tries to persuade to lady to make love with him
His reasoning: • Since our blood is mingled within the body of the flea, it is unnecessary or useless for you to refuse my proposal of love or marrieage. • The conceits used in the poem • The flea as the marriage bed, marriage temple; killing of the flea regarded as commiting three sins.
The poem “Holy Sonnet 10” ( “Death, Thou Not Be Proud”) • Why death should not be proud? • Death is compared with sleep, pictures, desperate men, kings,wars, famines and other causes of death.
paradox “death, thou shall die” • Christian idea that after one’s death he may have eternity of life in this sense there is no death.
form of poetry • Italian Sonnet: • abba abba cdd cef
Additional Reading: Meditation X VII • No man is an island, entire of himself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main….and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee