Unit - I
What are Meta Physical Poetry, Epic Poetry and Satire Poetry? Explain with
examples.
Answers
Answer:
Definition of Metaphysical Poetry
You've probably heard of haikus, lyrical poems and limericks. All of those types of poetry have specific qualities that allow us to group them together. Metaphysical poetry is a little bit different. The poems classified in this group do share common characteristics: they are all highly intellectualized, use rather strange imagery, use frequent paradox and contain extremely complicated thought.
However, metaphysical poetry is not regarded as a genre of poetry. In fact, the main poets of this group didn't read each other's work and didn't know that they were even part of a classification.
Literary critic and poet Samuel Johnson first coined the term 'metaphysical poetry' in his book Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1179-1781). In the book, Johnson wrote about a group of 17th-century British poets that included John Donne, George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, Andrew Marvell and Henry Vaughan. He noted how the poets shared many common characteristics, especially ones of wit and elaborate style.
1. The word ‘Metaphysical Poetry’ is a philosophical concept used in literature where poets portray the things/ideas that are beyond the depiction of physical existence :
- It is a genre of poetry that deals with deep and profound subjects like spirituality, religion, etc.
- It is highly intellectual form of poetry and presents the world to its readers in a different way.
Example: Anne Southwell, ‘An Elegie written by the Lady A: S: to the Countesse of London Derrye supposeinge hir to be dead by hir longe silence’.
2. An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet.
- Epic poems were particularly common in the ancient world because they were ideal for expressing stories orally.
Example: Many high school students read famous examples of epic poetry, such as Gilgamesh and The Iliad.
3. Satire is a literary device for the artful ridicule of a folly or vice as a means of exposing or correcting it.
- For example, one of the most well-known satirical literary works is brave new world by Aldous Huxley.