The Metaphysical Poets

by David Reid

Overview

The Metaphysical Poets provides an introduction to the work of six strikingly various and original poets- Donne, Herbert, Crashaw, Vaughan, Marvell and Traherne. By closely examining how the poems work, the book aims to help readers at all stages of proficiency and knowledge to enjoy and critically appreciate the ways in which fantastic and elaborate styles may express private intensities.

The emphasis is on the differences covered by the term 'Metaphysical' and on the rich and strange diversity of the poets' inner lives. The book examines the expressive forms of interiority, the characteristic inward turn of Metaphysical wit, and compares the wit of its six poets with the non-introspective wit of poets such as Cowley, the Cavaliers and the Augustans.

The discussion of each poet is preceded by a 'Life' in which the biographical facts, personal, cultural and political, are treated with a view to illuminating the concerns of the poems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317885702
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/11/2014
Series:	Longman Medieval and Renaissance Library
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	982 KB

About the Author

David Reid is a Lecturer in the Department of English Studies at the University of Stirling, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. John Donne 2. George Herbert 3. Richard Crashaw 4. Henry Vaughan 5. Andrew Marvell 6. Thomas Traherne Conclusion Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

Reid (English, U. of Sterling) introduces the work of Donne, Herbert, Crashaw, Vaughan, Marvell, and Traherne. By detailing how the poems work, he helps readers at all stages of proficiency and knowledge enjoy and critically appreciate the ways in which fantastic and elaborate styles may express private intensities. He emphasizes the range of meanings covered by the term metaphysical, and the rich and strange diversity of the poets' inner lives. For each of the six, he provides biographical information that can help illuminate the poems. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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