English Literature

The Post- Renaissance Period (c. 1625- c. 1660)

„« Metaphysical poetry:

Ñ"ж Rational thinking influences literature; in poetry „Ñ-close unity of emotion and logical thought

Ñ"ж Master of metaphysical poetry: John Donne (1572- 1631), also George Herbert (1593-1633)

Ñ"ж Use of conceits: a surprising comparison worked out in great detail

Ñ"Ð Are unusual and unexpected comparisons

Ñ"Ð May seem far fetched, but actually express the meaning of the poet in a forceful and logical way

Ñ"Ð E.g. John Donne compares a pair of lovers to a pair of compasses. Even if the points are apart, they are still connected, and they are leaning against each other.

„« John Milton (1608- 1674), one of EnglandÐŽ¦s greatest poets of all times, writes his early poems in this period. E.g. Ode on the Morning of ChristÐŽ¦s Nativity, LÐŽ¦Allegro, Il Penseroso. On Shakespeare shows the influence of metaphysical poetry. His greatest work Paradise Lost is written in the next period The Age of Reasons.

„« No metaphors like in the renaissance

„« Drama declines rapidly; the Puritan government disapproves of it and closes the theatres in 1642.

Holy Sonnet by John Donne, 1633

Ñ"ж Identify these lines

The complete poem of Holy Sonnet by John Donne

Ñ"ж Classify on form and contents

Contents: lyrical and reflective

Form: ÐŽKÐŽKÐŽK sonnet

Ñ"ж General meaning

The poet challenges God to use force against him so as to renew him and make him GodÐŽ¦s servant.

Ñ"ж Written in what form

In the form of a prayer

Ñ"ж Contains: 4 paradoxes, 3 conceits

Ñ"ж State of mind of the poet: HeÐŽ¦s desperate

On Shakespeare by John Milton, 1630

Ñ"ж Identify these lines

The complete poem of On Shakespeare by John Milton

Ñ"ж Classify on form and contents

Contents: reflective and lyrical

Form: ÐŽKÐŽK.. Sonnet

Ñ"ж General meaning

A poem praising Shakespeare

The Pulley by George Herbert, 1633

Ñ"ж Identify these lines

The complete work of The Pulley by George Herbert

Ñ"ж Classify on form and contents

Contents: reflective and lyrical

Form:ÐŽKÐŽK sonnet

Ñ"ж General meaning

God gives man everything, except rest and peace of mind. If he would also give him this gift man would forget him. ThatÐŽ¦s why he withholds it from us. So it actually works as a pulley, because if we do want peace of mind we can only find it with God.

Ñ"ж Rest:

What is left

Peace of mind

Rusten

The Neo-Classical Period (1660- 1780)

Ñ"ж Also called The Age of Reason, because of rational and scientific thinking.

Ñ"ж Also called Augustan Age, because writers find their examples in the classical writers esp. those of the Roman Empire, under Augustus. England likes to think of herself as the successor of the Roman Empire, being conscious of her power.

Ñ"ж Based on intellect and common sense.

Ñ"ж Keep emotions under control; think itÐŽ¦s bad taste to show emotion.

Ñ"ж Heroic couplets

Ñ"ж All couplets must have meaning thatÐŽ¦s why these poems are so long.

Ñ"ж Everything has to be explained and every couplet, which is explained, has its own meaning. You are able to read the couplets independent of each other.

Ñ"ж Use of satire, because they couldnÐŽ¦t