What do you think?
Rate this book
Metaphysical Poetry: An Anthology
Dramatic and conversational in rhythm and tone and rich in striking, unusual imagery, metaphysical poetry is represented in this anthology by such masterpieces as "Death, Be Not Proud," by John Donne; Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress," as well as works by George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, Richard Crashaw, Francis Quarles, Thomas Traherne, and others. Includes 2 selections from the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2002
17 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 3, 2018
The introduction states that "the metaphysical poets were known for their wit (not humor, but nimbleness of thought, originality in figures of speech, and paradoxical metaphors). It is poetry that invites the reader to join the poet in an intellectual and emotional adventure."
Although George Herbert and John Donne rank among my favorite inspirational poets, the majority of the poems included in this anthology were very difficult. I appreciated a few new-to-me poems such as Henry Vaughn's "The Search" where he describes the work of the cross as "never did tree bear fruit like this." And Donne's describing a poet as one who "tames his grief when he fetters it in verse." But for the most part I would not revisit this book, which required maximum effort for a minimum amount of pleasure.
All the mental strain was worth it, however, because I unearthed a poem that I remember reading in seminary decades ago, George Herbert's joyful tribute to Sunday. Here is the final stanza:
"Thou art a day of mirth:
And where the week-days trail on ground,
Thy flight is higher, as thy birth.
O let me take thee at the bound,
Leaping with thee from sev’n to sev’n,
Till that we both, being toss’d from earth,
Fly hand in hand to heav’n!"
The best volumes of devotional poetry I've found (that are meaty while still being accessible) are Philip Comfort's The One Year Book of Poetry and The 1940 version of The Oxford Book of Christian Verse.
Although George Herbert and John Donne rank among my favorite inspirational poets, the majority of the poems included in this anthology were very difficult. I appreciated a few new-to-me poems such as Henry Vaughn's "The Search" where he describes the work of the cross as "never did tree bear fruit like this." And Donne's describing a poet as one who "tames his grief when he fetters it in verse." But for the most part I would not revisit this book, which required maximum effort for a minimum amount of pleasure.
All the mental strain was worth it, however, because I unearthed a poem that I remember reading in seminary decades ago, George Herbert's joyful tribute to Sunday. Here is the final stanza:
"Thou art a day of mirth:
And where the week-days trail on ground,
Thy flight is higher, as thy birth.
O let me take thee at the bound,
Leaping with thee from sev’n to sev’n,
Till that we both, being toss’d from earth,
Fly hand in hand to heav’n!"
The best volumes of devotional poetry I've found (that are meaty while still being accessible) are Philip Comfort's The One Year Book of Poetry and The 1940 version of The Oxford Book of Christian Verse.
September 2, 2020
If only for the George Herbert. Absolute metaphysical 🔥🔥🔥
January 19, 2022
The metaphysical poems of the seventeenth-century can be tough sledding for the modern reader, given their complex metaphors and frequent religious subject matter. Then again, some of the truly beautiful writing manages to shine through the obfuscation, and John Donne is certainly the master of this, with such highly readable verses as "Twickenham Garden", "The Flea", "Witchcraft by a Picture", "The Bait", and "Elegy XIX: To His Mistress Going to Bed".
Outside of Donne himself, other worthwhile pieces come from Richard Crashaw ("Music's Duel") and Thomas Traherne ("Poverty"), but the obvious smash hit is Andrew Marvell's well-known "To His Coy Mistress", which one simply has to quote from:
"The grave's a fine and private place,
But none I think do there embrace"
Outside of Donne himself, other worthwhile pieces come from Richard Crashaw ("Music's Duel") and Thomas Traherne ("Poverty"), but the obvious smash hit is Andrew Marvell's well-known "To His Coy Mistress", which one simply has to quote from:
"The grave's a fine and private place,
But none I think do there embrace"
Want to read
December 17, 2023Areopagus
December 26, 2016
The "conceits" or "ridiculous metaphors" make the work both interesting and challenging. Donne, Marvell and Herbert are three of the better known poets whose verse is offered up. The poems will make the reader feel both baffled and delighted. "The Flea" is one of the best poems in this, but there are so many others. Take a pencil and make note of all the witty, memorable lines.
Read
December 9, 2021Oct 2021. Review before teaching Donne. A possible textbook, if Dover ever prints it again.
Notes:
* Two significant typos/editorial errors in "The Undertaking," but nothing else that I've noticed in the first 30 pages (some 35+ of Donne's lyrics).
* Several more typos in the Holy Sonnets, words and punctuation, but nothing mortal. Still I don't think I'd use this edition for Donne alone.
Notes:
* Two significant typos/editorial errors in "The Undertaking," but nothing else that I've noticed in the first 30 pages (some 35+ of Donne's lyrics).
* Several more typos in the Holy Sonnets, words and punctuation, but nothing mortal. Still I don't think I'd use this edition for Donne alone.
October 15, 2012
Donne, Herbert, Marvel, Chrashaw, Vaughan, Traherne. Lots of good stuff in here. My only beef with this collection is that it could have included even more good poems by some of these authors - Herbert in particular.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews