The poetry of the Puritan Age, also known as the Jacobean and Caroline Poetry during the reigns of James I and Charles I, can be categorized into three distinct parts:
- Poetry of the School of Spenser: The followers of Spenser, despite changing literary tastes, continued to emulate his style and considered him their master.
- Poetry of the Metaphysical School: Characterized by elaborate conceits, philosophical themes, and complex metaphors, the metaphysical poets sought to express profound ideas through intricate wordplay.
- Poetry of the Cavalier Poets: Known for their elegant verses celebrating courtly love, beauty, and the pleasures of life, in contrast to the more introspective styles of their contemporaries.
The School of Spenser
During the reign of James I, the Spenserians upheld the tradition of Spenserian poetry despite evolving literary trends. Phineas Fletcher and Giles Fletcher, both priests and scholars at Cambridge, were prominent figures of this school.
- Phineas Fletcher: Known for his Spenserian pastorals and allegories, his most ambitious work, The Purple Island, intricately depicts the moral and spiritual struggles of man in an allegorical framework reminiscent of Spenser's style.
- Giles Fletcher: More mystical and lyrical than his brother, Giles wrote Christ's Victorie and Triumph, an allegorical narrative celebrating the Atonement and the triumph of Christ over death, blending flamboyant style with theological depth.
- Other poets influenced by Spenser include William Browne, George Wither, and William Drummond. Browne's Britannia's Pastorals and Wither's pastoral poems reflect the pastoral and didactic traditions of Spenserian verse, while Drummond's lyrical poetry showcases refined language and musicality influenced by Spenser and Shakespeare.
The Metaphysical School
The metaphysical poets, including John Donne, George Herbert, and Richard Crashaw, were characterized by their use of elaborate metaphors, intellectual depth, and unconventional poetic style.
According to Dr. Johnson, these poets were termed 'metaphysical' not only for their philosophical themes but also for their penchant for elaborate conceits and intricate wordplay.
Dr. Johnson described them as poets who sought to "yoke by violence together" heterogeneous ideas and explore occult resemblances in seemingly dissimilar things.
Despite criticism for their complex style, the metaphysical poets were praised for their originality and intellectual rigor, often delving into profound philosophical and emotional explorations.
These poets, while exploring themes such as love, mortality, and spiritual redemption, contributed to a distinctive style that blended intellectuality with poetic expression.