- definition of metaphysical poetry and conceits.
- analysis of conceits in the poems "To His Coy Mistress" and "The Flea" with regard to virginity, sexuality and seduction in poetry of the 17th century.
- comparison of Donne\'s and Marvell\'s Poetry.
- conclusion.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Metaphysical Poetry and Conceits
- 3. Virginity, Sexuality and Seduction in Conceits
- 3.1 The Wit of Conceit in „The Flea”
- 3.2 The Wit of Conceit in "To His Coy Mistress"
- 3.3 Similarities and Differences of Donne's and Marvell's Poetry
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to explore the use of conceits in the metaphysical poetry of John Donne and Andrew Marvell, specifically focusing on how these poets utilize complex imagery to address themes of virginity, sexuality, and seduction. The paper analyzes the poets' techniques, comparing and contrasting their approaches to creating powerful and provocative arguments within their poems.
- Metaphysical poetry and its characteristics
- The function and impact of conceits in seduction poetry
- Analysis of "The Flea" and "To His Coy Mistress" as examples of metaphysical conceits
- Comparison of Donne's and Marvell's poetic styles and thematic concerns
- The role of wit and provocation in 17th-century poetic discourse
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by posing key questions about the profound meanings hidden within seemingly simple themes in metaphysical poetry. It outlines the paper's structure, previewing the exploration of metaphysical poetry, conceits, and the analysis of Donne's "The Flea" and Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress," with a focus on virginity, sexuality, and seduction. The chapter also highlights the use of secondary literature to support the arguments presented.
2. Metaphysical Poetry and Conceits: This chapter defines metaphysical poetry as a 17th-century literary movement within the Baroque period, characterized by the jarring juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated ideas, often focusing on religious or sensual themes. It explains the concept of "conceits"—the unexpected linking of disparate elements—as a central technique employed by metaphysical poets. The chapter discusses the provocative nature of these poets' work, their departure from Elizabethan conventions, and the use of colloquial language and wit to explore physical desires and premarital sex, often challenging societal norms. The chapter also distinguishes various types of conceits prevalent during that period, laying the groundwork for the analysis of the specific conceits used in the poems under consideration.
3. Virginity, Sexuality and Seduction in Conceits: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of the use of conceits related to virginity, sexuality, and seduction in the chosen poems. While the specific content of subchapters 3.1 and 3.2 is not summarized individually, the chapter as a whole synthesizes the analysis of Donne's "The Flea" and Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress," highlighting the unique ways each poet employs conceits to present their arguments. The discussion will encompass the different types of conceits used, their thematic significance, and their effectiveness in achieving a particular persuasive or provocative effect. Subchapter 3.3 further compares and contrasts the poetic techniques and thematic preoccupations of Donne and Marvell, providing a comparative framework for understanding their respective approaches to the subject matter.
Keywords
Metaphysical poetry, John Donne, Andrew Marvell, conceits, "The Flea," "To His Coy Mistress," virginity, sexuality, seduction, wit, 17th-century poetry, Baroque literature, carpe diem, persuasion-to-love.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Metaphysical Poetry
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper explores the use of conceits in the metaphysical poetry of John Donne and Andrew Marvell, specifically focusing on how these poets utilize complex imagery to address themes of virginity, sexuality, and seduction. It analyzes their techniques and compares their approaches to creating powerful and provocative arguments within their poems.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include metaphysical poetry and its characteristics; the function and impact of conceits in seduction poetry; analysis of "The Flea" and "To His Coy Mistress" as examples of metaphysical conceits; comparison of Donne's and Marvell's poetic styles and thematic concerns; and the role of wit and provocation in 17th-century poetic discourse.
What poems are analyzed in detail?
The paper provides detailed analyses of John Donne's "The Flea" and Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress," examining the use of conceits in these poems to address themes of virginity, sexuality, and seduction.
What is a "conceit" in the context of this paper?
A conceit, in this context, refers to the unexpected linking of disparate elements, a central technique employed by metaphysical poets to create complex and surprising imagery. It's a way of jarringly juxtaposing seemingly unrelated ideas to explore religious or sensual themes.
How does the paper compare Donne and Marvell?
The paper compares and contrasts the poetic styles and thematic concerns of Donne and Marvell, providing a comparative framework for understanding their respective approaches to the use of conceits in addressing themes of virginity, sexuality, and seduction. It highlights similarities and differences in their techniques and the effectiveness of their approaches.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter defining metaphysical poetry and conceits, a chapter analyzing the use of conceits in relation to virginity, sexuality, and seduction in Donne and Marvell's selected poems (including sub-chapters focusing on individual poems and a comparative analysis), and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents and a keywords section.
What is the historical context of the poems and the paper's subject matter?
The poems and the paper's subject matter are situated within the context of 17th-century English literature, specifically the metaphysical poetry movement within the Baroque period. The paper discusses the poets' departure from Elizabethan conventions, their use of colloquial language and wit, and their challenging of societal norms regarding physical desires and premarital sex.
What are some key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Metaphysical poetry, John Donne, Andrew Marvell, conceits, "The Flea," "To His Coy Mistress," virginity, sexuality, seduction, wit, 17th-century poetry, Baroque literature, carpe diem, persuasion-to-love.
- Quote paper
- Daniela Schulze (Author), 2007, John Donne – “The Flea” and Andrew Marvell – “To His Coy Mistress”, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/86921
