Metaphysical Age in Literature

The word metaphysical is used to describe a concept in literature in which things are defined by
something non-physical. Metaphysical writing is concerned with intangible experiences and feelings.
Metaphysical poetry is marked by the use of elaborate figurative languages, original conceits,
paradoxes, and philosophical topics. In this kind of poetry, authors often used allusions, metaphors,
conceits, imagery, and colloquial diction. It’s also possible to find a wide range of other poetic
devices.

Metaphysical poetry was at its peak during the seventeenth century in England and continental
Europe. The movement explored everything from irony to philosophy and conceits. It is for its
complex and original conceits that most metaphysical poems are noted. During this period, poets
relaxed their previously strict use of meter and explored new ideas. John Donne is the best-known of
the metaphysical poets.

The themes that are most common to metaphysical poetry are love/lust, religion, and morality.
Some of the authors who explored these themes were John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew
Marvell, and Henry Vaughan.

History of Metaphysical Poetry

The word “metaphysical” was used by writers such as John Dryden and Samuel Johnson in regards to
the poets of the seventeenth century. These poets are noted for their “unnaturalness”. Johnson
wrote in Lives of the Most Eminent Engish Poets in the late 1700s, that a “race of writers” had
appeared that might be termed “metaphysical poets”. The term was likely taken from Dryden who
had described John Donne as affecting “metaphysics” in his “satires” and his “amorous verses”. It
was not until the twentieth century that many of these poets were adequately recognized for their
talent and originality.

T.S. Eliot is one of the many twentieth-century literary critics who helped to establish the well-
deserved reputation that writers such as John Donne and Andrew Marvell now hold. He applied
many of their techniques to his own writing.

Who Were the Metaphysical Poets?

The best known of the metaphysical poets is John Done. He is followed by others such as Henry
Vaughan, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert. Donne is most often cited as the best of this
shortlist of writers and the originator of the basic tenants of the genre. It is because of his writing
that many writers who came after took on some or all of the features of metaphysical writing.

Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry

One of the most prominent characteristics of this movement is the spoken quality of the poetry,
something that many other writers of that time did not approve of. Other common features include
the use of colloquial diction, philosophical exploration, new and original conceits, irony, and the
relaxed use of meter.
Poets whose works have been categorized as “metaphysical” often seek out the answers to
questions such as, does God exist? Or, does humankind really have free choice? Or, what is the
nature of reality?

Examples of Metaphysical Poems

The Flea by John Donne

‘The Flea’ is one of the most commonly cited examples of a metaphysical poem, it is also one of
Donne’s best. The poem makes a familiar argument in a very original way.

Mark but this flea, and mark in this,

How little that which thou deniest me is;
It sucked me first, and now sucks thee,
And in this flea our two bloods mingled be; […]

Donne’s speaker suggests to a woman that he wants to sleep with that it’s fine for them to get
together because the same flea has fed on the blood from both their bodies. They’re already
experienced their fluids mixing.

Metaphysical poetry is defined by the exploration of philosophical topics, wit, and a looser use of
meter. These poems often touched on contemporary scientific advancements as well.

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