John Donne, the leader of the Metaphysical school of poets, had a varied career before becoming the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. Known primarily for his religious sermons, Donne also left a significant mark in poetry. His major works include The Progress of the Soul, An Anatomy of the World (an elegy), and Epithalamion. Donne's poetry can be categorized into:
- Amorous: Initially breaking away from the Petrarchan model, Donne's early works express love in a realistic and often unconventional manner.
- Metaphysical: Characterized by intricate metaphors and intellectual depth, focusing on philosophical themes and the complexities of human experience.
- Satirical: Known for his satirical works, such as his fourth satire describing a bore, written in rhymed couplets that influenced later poets like Dryden and Pope.
Donne's poetry is noted for its metrical roughness, obscurity, ardent imagination, and philosophical depth. Unlike the smooth sweetness of Elizabethan verse, Donne introduced a harsh and staccato style that challenged traditional poetic norms. His influence on contemporary poets was profound, shaping the transition from Elizabethan to Caroline poetry.
Other Metaphysical Poets
Several poets were associated with the Metaphysical school, each contributing uniquely to its style and themes:
- Robert Herrick (1591-1674): Known for both amorous and religious verse, Herrick's love poems stand out for their pensive fantasy and meditative tone, aligning him with the Metaphysical tradition.
- Thomas Carew (1598-1639): Influenced heavily by Donne, Carew excelled in lyrical poetry, combining the strength and vitality of Donne's verse with a more refined and harmonious style.
- Richard Crashaw (1613?-1649): A profoundly religious poet, Crashaw's best-known work, The Flaming Heart, showcases his spiritual fervor and occasional heights of poetic excellence.
- Henry Vaughan (1622-1695): A mystic poet like Crashaw, Vaughan's poetry is characterized by its clarity, tranquility, and deep spiritual introspection.
- George Herbert (1593-1633): Widely read for his clarity of expression and transparent conceits, Herbert's religious verse combines didacticism with quaint humor, making him a prominent figure in the Metaphysical tradition.
- Lord Herbert of Cherbury: While less acclaimed as a poet compared to his brother George Herbert, Lord Herbert is remembered for his autobiography and for pioneering a meter later popularized by Tennyson.
- Other Metaphysical Poets: Including Abraham Cowley, Andrew Marvell, and Edmund Waller, each contributed uniquely to English poetry. Cowley's Pindaric Odes influenced poets well into the 18th century, Marvell is known for his friendship with Milton and the tension between Spenserian and Donnean influences, and Waller pioneered the 'closed' couplet that dominated English poetry for the next century.
The Metaphysical poets exemplify both the spiritual fervor of the Puritans and the frank amorous tendencies of the Elizabethans. Their poetry ranges from celebrating life's pleasures to seeking enduring comfort in spiritual experiences.