17.

CENTURY BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

In the early 17th century, King James became King of both Scotland
and England after Elizabeth's death. James brought the monarchy
and parliament into conflict. The result of this conflict was the civil
war. This war between King James I and Parliament completely
changed the political structure, social order and religious life of the
country. The political and military conflicts of this period broke the
boundaries of the British monarchy and created the modern
parliamentary system. After his death, James's son Charles, became
king. Like his father, he witnessed the rise of tensions between the
monarchy and parliament. The victory of parliamentary forces led to
the temporary abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of
the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. For this Charles was
executed. The Commonwealth period began. The confusion
following Cromwell's death was followed by the restoration of the
monarchy with the reign of Charles II in 1660. This period is called the
Restoration Period.

The events of this period greatly influenced literature. Writers wrote

about religion, freedom, power and love. Seventeenth-century
poetry is typically divided into two types: Metaphysical and Cavalier.

Metaphysical poetry is characterized by intellectual depth, complex

metaphors. It focuses on themes such as love, religion and morality.
The term “metaphysical poets” was used by the 18th century critic
Samuel Johnson to describe these poets as a distinct literary
movement. Representative outhors were John Donne, George
Herbert and Andrew Marvell. They used complex imagery, often
drawing on scientific and philosophical concepts to convey their
ideas. Also, They used colloquial diction, ingenious conceits, irony,
and metrically flexible lines.

Cavalier poetry is characterized by a celebration of beauty, love and

loyalty. Cavalier poetry often reflected a sense of urgency and
encouranging a live for today mentality. Cavalier poets were known
for their use of ornate and elaborate language. Metaphor, similes
and elaborate expressions contributed to their poetry. Poets used
vivid and lush imagery to evoke the sensory experience of beauty.
Poets explored the nuance of romantic relationship, elaborating the
joy and somethimes the pains of love. Poems conveyed a sense of
duty, allegiance and desire to uphold the traditions of the monarchy.
Representative authors were Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace and
Thomas Carew. Cavalier poets emphasized themes of loyalty, honor
and the transient pleasures of life. Their poetry was characterized by
elegance, clarity and wit. By focusing on carpe diem themes, they
urged readers to “seize the day”. This poetry celebrated the ideals of
courtly love and loyalty to royalty and contrasted with the more
inward-looking and spiritual concerns of the Metaphysical poets.
ANDREW MARVELL
Andrew Marvell was an English Metaphysical poet and
politician in the seventeenth century. Marvell’s style is
distinctive for its balance of intellect and emotion. His works
often explore love, nature, politic satire and carpe diem (seize
the day). He mixed metaphysical and cavalier poetry because
he served as a member of parliament during this period.
Marvell wrote a variety of elegant lyrics, by blending Chivalric
elegance with Metaphysical wit and complexity.
TO HIS COY MISTRESS
The poem is one of Andrew Marwell's metaphysical poems. It
is written in the form of a carpe diem (seize the day) poem. It
is a dramatic monologue addressed to a reluctant lover. The
poem consists of three parts. In the first part, the speaker
imagines an ideal world where time is not an issue. In the
second part, he describes the existence of death and the
passing of time. He argues that their beauty will no longer
matter. In the third part, he advises them to make the most
of the present. This explores how love and sexual desire must
be experienced while there is still time to do so. Marvell used
persuasive language and vivid imagery. Poetry also has both
metaphorical meaning and satire. The poem's argument
about love, time, and mortality explores the tension between
idealism and reality.

"A Dialogue Between the Body and Soul,"

The poetry is a metaphysical poetry. It is about the tension
between the physical and spiritual aspects of human
existence. The poem is structured as a conversation. The
Body and the Soul tells their conflict against one another. The
soul feels that it is a prisoner in the body while the body feels
that it is a tryant imposing all kinds of restriction upon the
body. Marvell explores the inherent conflict in humanity's
dual nature caught between the demands of the physical
world and the desire for spiritual transcendence. The themes
of poetry are suffering, mortality and the burden of body. The
tone of the poem is reflective and somber, conveying a sense
of frustration and hopelessness. Through a dramatic
conversation, Marvell captures the complex and often painful
relationship between the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
JOHN DONNE
John Donne was an English poet, scholar, and cleric. He is
known as one of the greatest metaphysical poets. His works
often explore themes of love, religion, and mortality. He is
marked by their intellectual depth, vivid imagery, and
complex metaphors. Donne’s poetry is celebrated for its wit,
originality, and dramatic shifts in tone, which distinguish him
from his contemporaries. His most famous works include
"Death Be Not Proud," and "The Flea."
The Flea was written by John Donne. It is a metaphysical
poem. It is also one of Donne's best poems. The poem
presents a familiar argument in a very original way. Sex is the
main focus of the poem. The speaker tries to persuade the
woman for sex. The flea is used here as a metaphor. The flea
depicts the importance of physical relations. She says that the
flea bites both her and her lover, thus mixing their blood in
her body. The speaker tries to persuade her lover to enter
into a romantic relationship. The poem has a playful tone and
ironic argument. It shows Donne's talent for humor. The
poem has vivid imagery. The poem explores complex themes
such as love, conceit, desire and mortality. Donne's use of
conceit is an important feature of metaphysical poetry. It is
written in the form of a carpe diem (seize the day) poem. It
emphasizes the importance of seizing the day by saying that
death exists. Through this unusual, Donne questions societal
attitudes toward love, purity, and desire.
A VALEDICTION: FORBIDDING MOURNING

A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning is a metaphysical poem.

The poem is dramatic monologue, blending intellectual
arguments with emotional depth. John Donne wrote for his
wife before Donne left for a long journey. The central theme
is true love. Donne portrays as spiritual rather than physical.
Their love is depicted as enduring and immutable. Their soul
mixed each other. The tone is calm and persuasive. Donne
seeks to console his wife with philosophical reasoning and
vivid metaphors. The poem has conceit. The most famous
conceit compares their love to a compass in the poem . His
wife is the fixed foot, steady and grounded, while he is the
roaming foot, always connected and returning to her. This
metaphor captures both unity and independence. As a
metaphysical poet, Donne integrates intellectual reasoning
with emotional depth. The poem reflects ideas from
Neoplatonism and Renaissance humanism, which celebrate
the soul's superiority over the body and the enduring nature
of spiritual connections.
GEORGE HERBERT
George Herbert is one of the most important figures in
English religious poetry. He is known for his profound
spirituality and poetic innovation. Herbert explore the
complexities of faith and divine grace. His works are the
metaphysical tradition. His early career suggested a path
toward politics. But he ultimately turned to the Church,
becoming a parish priest in Bemerton. This situation reflects
his poetry. Herbert’s poetic style is characterized by simplicity
in language with theological insights. His metaphysical
conceits use everyday imagery to explain spiritual concepts.
This is making his work accessible yet deeply reflective.
THE COLLAR
George Herbert’s poem The Collar is metaphysical works. The
poem is exploration of the speaker’s internal conflict with
faith and submission to God. It is written in Herbert’s
characteristic metaphysical style. The poem captures the
tension between rebellion and divine acception. The poem’s
title suggests multiple remarks. It may represent the clerical
collar, a symbol of religious duty, or the yoke of obedience
and discipline. The speaker initially rejects this collar and
against the limitations of faith. The poem has defiant tone. It
reveals the speaker’s anger and dissatisfaction. It suggesting a
desire to escape the demands of religious devotion. This
rebellion symbolizes a universal human struggle with spiritual
discipline. The poem is written in an irregular form. It reflects
the chaotic emotions of the speaker. Herbert employs vivid
imagery to dramatize the speaker’s struggle. Words like
"struck," "snapped," and "raved" convey a sense of violent
rebellion. The speaker laments wasted effort. The poem’s
tone shifts dramatically in the final lines. A quiet, divine voice
interrupts the speaker’s tirade with a single word: '' My
Lord''.