Metaphysical Poetry by John Donne

John Donne's Poetry

• Metaphysical Poetry: Characterized by intricate rhythms and rich, often contradictory metaphors exploring themes of eroticism, shame, pain, death, and joy.
• 'The Flea': Uses a flea’s bite as a metaphor for physical union, arguing that the shared blood signifies no barriers to intimacy.
• 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning': Compares the lovers' connection to a compass, symbolizing enduring bond despite physical separation.
• Themes: Celebrates carnal love in 'The Flea' and spiritual love in 'A Valediction,' reflecting Donne's characteristic wit and elegance.

Ben Jonson and The English Grammar

• Diverse Works: Ranged from comedic plays like Bartholomew Fair to Greek and Roman poetry translations.
• The English Grammar: Initially written in 1623, lost in a fire, then rewritten posthumously, offering insight into early 17th-century English.
• Language Observation: Discusses syntax, spelling, and pronunciation, with unique notes on the pronunciation of 'r' as 'the Dogs letter'.
• Intended Audience: Aimed to assist foreigners with its Latin-English format, despite criticisms regarding its value and clarity.

John Milton's Areopagitica

• Context of Censorship: State control over printing established under Henry VIII continued into the 17th century, with severe restrictions.
• John Lilburne's Arrest: Arrested for importing prohibited books, faced hefty fines and punishment, highlighting the repression of free speech.
• Areopagitica: Written by Milton as a defense of free speech, remains an important text despite its limited immediate impact.
• Legacy: Laws relaxed significantly in 1695 allowing flourish of the press and emerging journalism.

The Great Fire of London

• Event: The fire ignited on September 2, 1666, in a bakery on Pudding Lane, resulting in widespread destruction.
• Destruction Extent: Devastated 373 acres, destroyed over 13,000 houses, 84 churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral.
• Contributing Factors: Prevalence of wooden structures, narrow streets, dry weather, and strong winds exacerbated the fire's spread.
• Duration: The blaze continued for four days, extinguished primarily due to a change in wind direction.

Milton’s Paradise Lost

• Publication: First published in 1667, aims to justify God's expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden.
• Satan's Characterization: Portrayed as a charismatic rebel, leading to critiques and interpretations regarding free will and predestination.
• Composition Style: Written in blank verse, composed during Milton's blindness, dictated to amanuenses.
• Historical Context: Milton was a radical thinker, supporter of civil liberties, and actively campaigned for religious freedom throughout his life.

Aphra Behn and The Rover

• Pioneering Role: Behn, first English woman to earn a living as a writer, also worked as a spy for Charles II.
• The Rover: Her famous play featuring strong female characters advocating for personal rights and liberation from societal constraints.
• Character Dynamics: Focuses on two women, Hellena and Angellica Bianca, navigating love and societal expectations in a libertine society.
• Themes: Engages in modern discourse about gender roles, sexual freedom, and challenges entrenched social class limitations.

Epistolary Style and Its Impact

• The epistolary style of "Pamela" offers insight into the protagonist's inner thoughts and emotions, praised for its psychological realism.
• The novel achieved significant popularity but faced criticism for its portrayal of a heroine breaking class barriers and elevating her status.
• Inspired numerous parodies, notably Henry Fielding’s "Shamela" (1741), featuring a social climber as the central character.

Tom Jones by Henry Fielding

• "Tom Jones," published in 1749, is among the earliest English novels, notable for its popularity at the time of release.
• The narrative follows Tom, a foundling, on his tumultuous journey toward adulthood and matrimony.
• Tom's story includes romantic conflict with Master Blifil and a series of misadventures that lead to his expulsion from Mr. Allworthy's home.
• The novel is distinguished by its mock-epic style, drawing parallels to heroes of Classical mythology, featuring tangential chapters and bawdy humor.
• Samuel Johnson critiqued the novel as nearly "corrupt," showcasing the comic and satirical elements of Fielding’s writing.
• Fielding's work significantly influenced later novelists, particularly Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray.

Johnson's Dictionary

• Samuel Johnson's "Dictionary of the English Language," first published in 1755, is recognized as one of history’s most significant dictionaries.
• Compiled over a span of 8 years with a mere 6 assistants, it defined 40,000 words comprehensively.
• Each definition was enriched with illustrative quotations derived from various fields of study, showcasing the dictionary’s scholarly depth.
• Contrasts with the French dictionary, which required 55 years and 40 scholars to compile, emphasizing the uniqueness of Johnson's achievement.

Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne

• "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman," published in 1759, is recognized for its wit and originality.
• The title suggests a traditional bildungsroman, but the narrative diverges into a modern exploration of self-reflection and writing challenges.
• Tristram's attempts to recount his life result in digressions, blind alleys, and non-linear storytelling, featuring humorous asides on various topics.
• Notable for its illustration of metafiction, Sterne's work was subjected to criticism for textual borrowings but is celebrated today for innovation and humor.

Explore the intricate themes and vivid imagery in John Donne's metaphysical poetry, focusing on 'The Flea' and 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning'. This quiz will test your understanding of the emotional depth, metaphors, and rhythmic elements unique to Donne's work. Dive into the meanings behind the poems and their resonant themes.