John Donne, Metaphysical Poems

John Donne's metaphysical poetry marks a frontier of sorts. Writing at the time of Shakespeare, it acknowledges both the colonization of the Americas, a whole new world previously unknown to the West, and the acceptance of a new cosmology. It also acknowledges a 'new philosophy', the one posed by Descartes' method of doubt.
The impulse of every intellectual was to connect all things to the hand of God, and relate them all together.
But how should the poet unite discordant and contrary theories? Through the use of metaphysical conceit, paradox, wit, and various linguistic tropes. The enormous richness of the intellectual task of responding to the 'new philosophy' of doubt makes the literature of the period a jewel that still sparkles.
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[@robertwatson4811]

Very nice lecture in providing the historical and especially philosophical background to Donne's life and work. The explication of "The Flea" was both instructive and entertaining.

[@arwa4252]

How about a jet ring.. poeme. Is it explained?!

[@edwardkmicheal218]

Today We Or i should say it still is geocentric in that Individuals know the Universe rotates, revolves about themselves. Here Lies Our Death kdag PlymouthUK 2024Jan24th 1259hrGMT

[@shabirmagami146]

thank you for such an insightful lecture .....sharing this with my students ....love and respect💌

[@ilkeyalcn6581]

I’m a English major from Turkey and your lectures helped me so much for my finals thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@LitProf]

Glad to hear that.

[@TheMrGoferman]

I'm an English major from Poland and those lectures are extremely helpful for my literature classes. Thank you for sharing them!

[@LitProf]

Glad they help

[@LaraKhurana]

Great lecture! Always looking forward for your videos 🎉

[@English_With_Shweta]

With so much depth, information and love you’re speaking. I felt it very soothing. Thank you so much for making this.

[@LitProf]

Glad you found it beneficial. Lecturing on such wonderful texts is great.

[@neidepinheiro771]

Amazing lecture, Dr. Masson. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@isaiasguzman942]

Thank you for sharing this lecture. Deeply enlightening, teachers voice grabs our attention from the moment he talks to the end. That is a gift.

[@LitProf]

Kind words. Thank you. Glad the lectures are helping people.

[@LaraKhurana]

Thanks a ton sir 🎉❤

[@r.s.b1333]

Thanks a lot sir, found your lectures very helpful..... I'm from India, not native-English speaker but didn't find your lectures uncomfortable..I felt like I was studying in the classroom.

[@LitProf]

You are most welcome. If you are a non-native speaker, you've done extremely well. Donne's poetry is a bit challenging!

[@rhaenysgames8115]

Im writing my senior argumentative paper on John Donne so this has been really handy 😂😉

[@hbcbrassroots]

Thank you, Dr. Masson

[@LitProf]

You're very welcome.

[@mortezajafari1127]

Excellent sir

[@hearts_of_gold]

a waste of higher consciousness to want to torture any one - but we can both forgive the despots and imperialists in this and forever be reminded by them to apply our higher consciousness where we once did lack

[@LitProf]

You are presuming that the theory of biological evolution is valid. The idea is of course anachronistically applied to Donne. But even if evolution is true, and there is a continuum of being, then we have no moral standard by which to judge that killing the flea is wrong.

[@hearts_of_gold]

@@LitProf Nothing precludes moral standards except the inability to have them. A continuum of being - allowing for cultural development is what can give us that ability. I believe that we have to develop our morality by using our experience and our conscience, science and art, honesty and careful consideration - including openness to consider new information and how it may reqiure us to adjust our understanding. I form the particulars of my ethics, as far as i am able, from a dedication to health and wellbeing for all humanity, trusting that this will be concomitant with humane treatment of animals. I must add that I get the symbolism in the poem - but i would not generally fuss over a flea, BUT i would certainly not wish any animal to be tortured. - It was the off the cuff reference to torture which made me respond. A more humane future is at least possible - and worth living for. To achieve it we have to become more aware - particularly about our anger and it's real causes, and develop our ability to control it; so that even if we are harmed and suffer, we do not cause more unnecessary harm and suffering. This does not mean putting up with being harmed and suffering - we have to protect ourselves - rather it means keeping clarity and devotion to overcoming the problems that cause harm and suffering in the first place. It is not to be infirm - but to be firm about kindness. It was not wrong per se to feel as you felt, still less to say how you felt - but to go no further and/or to think such feelings to be justified - as i said at first - it seems to be a waste of your intelligence.

[@LitProf]

The belief that the life of a flea and of a human are equivalent is a major error.

[@hjm231]

thank you so much, you make it so fun and interesting to study poetry. i have to write a paper about "metaphysical poets" by T.S.Eliot, but i find it so confusing because the definition that we know about metaphysical poetry, us differ from Eliot's concept of them. thank you again 💓

[@Raptorcdxx]

Thanks for making this!

[@LitProf]

No problem!

[@tamarkopadze5325]

A very interesting and informative lecture indeed. Thanks for sharing. Gonna check other lectures too.

[@LitProf]

Glad you enjoyed it! I will be adding more in the Fall.

[@NaelahAl-sammarraie]

In Flea, she killed the flea, so the woman is like Judas😅 cool poem.

[@josehenr1que7]

What time does he talk about the Flea and The Rising Sun?

[@ciobanurazvan4470]

Thank you.

[@LitProf]

You're welcome!

[@edwardkmicheal218]

Today We Or i should say it still is geocentric in that Individuals know the Universe rotates, revolves about themselves. Here Lies Our Death kdag PlymouthUK 2024Jan24th 1258hrGMT

[@hearts_of_gold]

other wise it's a good lecture - Thanks

[@LitProf]

Glad you think so!

[@therebelliousgeek4506]

Thank You.

[@barbarag.5521]

Thank you.

[@LitProf]

You are welcome