Metaphysical and Cavalier Poetry

Seventeenth Century Poetry

With the Renaissance continuing in the Seventeenth Century, the focus on pursuing and questioning various types of knowledge resumed and appeared in a genre of poetry called Metaphysical poetry. On the other end of the spectrum, a genre of poetry called Cavalier poetry does not have the same intellectual depth as Metaphysical poetry and focuses on simple, celebratory experiences.

Analyzing Poetry

Recall the information regarding poetry analysis that you have previously learned and practiced. The TPCASTT is applicable to any kind of poetry a reader needs to analyze. View the information below for a reminder of the TPCASTT process:

TPCASTT for Analyzing Poetry

In order to analyze poetry, we will use a common method called the TPCASTT process.

Download the TPCASTT guidelines.

The TPCSATT guidelines will be used throughout the module to help you through the analysis process.

Also, review the steps below:

TPCASTT (An analysis method for poetry)

T- TITLE Look at the title before reading the poem. Attempt to predict the significance
of the title. This will help you gauge the meaning of the poem as you read. Occasionally,
poems will not have titles. If this is the case, skip the "title" part of the TPCASTT
technique.
P-PARAPHRASE: Translate the plot of the poem into your own words. Make sure you
understand what every word means and that you can see every image being
used.
C- CONNOTATION: Contemplate the meaning of the poem beyond the literal-the figurative.
Look for all poetic devices and see how they contribute to the meaning of
poem. Connotative devices include all figurative language and sound devices (similes,
metaphors, eto)
the
A- ATTITUDE: Identify and describe the persona. Observe the speaker's attitude, the tone.
S- SHIFT: Determine the stanza type and whether there are shifts in the tone/attitude.
Sometimes a change in stanzas will indicate a shift in attitude.
T- TITLE (again): Reexamine the title. Try to see how the title fits with the work as a
whole
T- THEME: Determine what the poet is saying. This does not have to be a "moral" or a
"cute saying." Instead, you should think about how the human experience is presented in
the poem. The theme should be a universal truth, not applicable only to the poem.

Notice that many of the steps include terms such as "might be about" or "seems to sound like." Poetry is an art form that is open to interpretation. If a reader can support his or her claims with words or lines from the poem, the reader has the right to his or her interpretation.

The TPCASTT analysis allows for a deeper understanding of poem. After performing a TPCASTT analysis, you will be more prepared to compose a literary analysis essay about a poem.

Before beginning the TPCASTT, review your knowledge of the various literary devices:

TPCASTT Process

Literary Terms Vocabulary

Metaphysical Poetry

Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that explores the nature of being, or existing, and the world around that existence. The Greek prefix "meta-" means "beyond", and "physical" translates to "nature" which creates the term "metaphysical"—a synonym of the Latin word "supernatural". Therefore, Metaphysical poetry explores the nature of existence including the existence of God and human perception versus reality.

Samuel Johnson, a Seventeenth Century English writer, coined the term Metaphysical poets when describing a loose group of poets whose writing contained similar themes and questions about the human existence and the existence of the supernatural. The goal of Metaphysical poetry is to incite readers to a deeper level of thinking in order to engage with and seek answers to philosophical concepts. Some Metaphysical poetry explores a type of love so intense that the love transcends and feels like a spiritual experience.

Metaphysical poetry can fit in the category of Renaissance literature based on the dates written and the content. Metaphysical poetry often contains certain characteristics in order to create a higher intellectual response. The inclusion of poetic devices such as paradox, puns, and conceits create the comparison of unlikely objects that serve as metaphors.

View the following examples of conceits, or extended metaphors:

Example: "Our eye-beams twisted, and did thread/Our eyes
upon one double string" (Donne).
Analysis: Donne uses the conceit composed of of two eyes
threaded on a string together (similar to beads on a
necklace) in order to represent the intensity of two lovers
gazing into each others' eyes.
Example: "See how the orient dew /Shed from the bosom of
the morn" (Marvel).
Analysis: "On a Drop of Dew" by Andrew Marvell uses a drop
of dew to represent the soul throughout the poem.

Some Metaphysical poets include John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Abraham Cowley, Richard Crashaw, and Henry Vaughan among others

John Donne

John Donne (1572-1631) was an English poet whose poetry goes against the traditional content of Renaissance poetry yet fits in the time period of Renaissance literature. Donne wrote religious and love poems; scholars attribute much of Donne's fame to his mastery and incorporation of conceits in his poetry. You will now read one of Donne's religious poems and one of Donne's love poems in order to see the differences and understand the required intellect for analyzing one of Donne's poems. When reading, try to recognize and interpret the conceits.

Read John Donne poetry by downloading the document.

Use the TPCASTT method in order to determine the deeper meanings Donne presents in his poetry in order to create a heightened intellectual experience. Also, practice recognizing and interpreting conceits used in Metaphysical poetry below.

Andrew Marvell

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) was an English poet, satirist, and politician who aligned himself with Parliament and narrowly avoided punishment after the restoration of Charles II to the throne of England. Marvell's poetry includes themes of love and desire along with politically charged poems saturated with satire, and he remains known for his quick wit and use of conceits in his poetry. You will now read one of Marvell's political poems and one of Marvell's love poems in order to see the differences and understand the depth of wit and language in his writings. When reading, try to recognize and interpret the deeper meanings and conceits. Also, recall that an ode is a praise poem to a person or thing.

Read Andrew Marvell poetry by downloading the document.

Use the TPCASTT method in order to determine the deeper meanings Marvell presents in his poetry in order to create a heightened intellectual experience.

Cavalier Poetry

The term "cavalier" references a mounted soldier or knight. Cavalier poets supported King Charles I during the English Civil War, so the term "cavalier" bolstered an image of gallant men supporting their King.

Instead of deep, intellectual poems about philosophy, cavalier poetry encourages humanity to live in the moment, and the poems express joy over simple, celebratory occurrences. Some scholars refer to Cavalier poetry as Carpe Diem poetry because the poems encouraged the themes of "Carpe Diem", or "Seize the Day" by reminding society to live life to the fullest each day and give in to earthy desires including wealth and women. Cavalier poets also spoke out against the Roundheads who supported Parliament over King Charles I.

Like Metaphysical poetry, cavalier poetry can fit in the category of Renaissance literature based on the dates written and the content. Cavalier poetry often appears as allegorical and includes classical allusions in order to produce poetry that impressed King Charles I. Oftentimes, cavalier poets created poems with a boisterous tone due to the themes of "Carpe Diem" that appear in the writings.

Some prominent Cavalier poets include Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew, and Sir John Suckling among others.

Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) was an English poet and cleric during the Seventeenth Century. Herrick published a collection of his famous poems in his book titled Hesperides. His early poems referenced love, but his later poetry was more philosophical in nature. Herrick also helped revive the Carpe Diem genre with his poetry. You will now read one of Herrick's poem that focuses on the theme of "Carpe Diem". When reading, notice the ideas Herrick puts forth in order to encourage readers to live life to the fullest each day.

Read Robert Herrick poetry by downloading the Herrick and Lovelace document.

Use the TPCASTT method to analyze the Carpe Diem themes Herrick incorporates in his poetry.

Richard Lovelace

Richard Lovelace (1617-1657) was an English poet who fought on the side of King Charles I during the English Civil War. Herrick, a true Cavalier poet, wrote many poems supporting King Charles I and spent time in prison for supporting the King when Parliament came to power. You will now read one of Lovelace's poems that praises King Charles and freedom. When reading, notice the elements of Cavalier poetry appearing throughout the poem.

Read Richard Lovelace poetry by downloading the Herrick and Lovelace document.

Use the TPCASTT method in order to recognize the ways Lovelace supports the idea of freedom under King Charles I.

Cavalier Poetry Self-Assessment

After reading and understanding the content of Cavalier poetry, practice recognizing how lines of poems can classify poetry as Cavalier poetry.

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