17th-British+Poetry+Movements


 * [[image:http://emmaline1138.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/johndonne.jpg width="220" height="178" align="right" caption="John Donne"]]17th Century British Poetry**




 * Influences on 17th Century British Poetry**

Poetry from this century was heavily influenced by the works of Edmund Spencer, a poet who lived in the 16th century. Spenser's sonnets (such as [|Sonnet 54]) are in the form of an Italian Sonnet. However, William Shakespeare, undoubtedly the most influential poet of all time, followed his own sonnet form, the Shakespearean sonnet, and became the primary influence for poetry from the next century. The influence of William Shakespeare and [|**Edmund Spenser**] can be observed in several British poems of the 17th century, especially in the poems of metaphysical poet John Donne, many of which follow the Shakespearean Sonnet form.


 * Metaphysical Poets**

In the 17th Century, there existed a group of British poets called the [|Metaphysical Poets] who tried to investigate metaphysical concerns. The style of their poetry mainly consisted of witty, subtle arguments and unusual metaphors. Several [|Platonic] concepts (deriving from the philosophy of Plato) are reflected in these poems, such as the perfection of beauty in the eternal realm and "looking beyond the palpable." These metaphysical poets were not considered to be a proper movement, however, they shared common themes of love and elaborate style. This stylistic excess has been criticized by several writers, including John [|Dryden], who claims that these poems try too hard to engage a reader's mind when it should be "engaging their hearts." Some metaphysical poets of this time period include George Chapman, John Donne, and Thomas Traherne.


 * John Donne**

It is believed that out of all the metephysical poets, [|John Donne] was the most influential. The core of his work is generally revolved around spirituality and his personal relationship with it. This can be revealed by the timing of some of his works, such as //Songs and Sonnets//, which were published in an era of religious oppression. These sonnets are extremely personal, particularly his "[|Holy Sonnet X]," in which he tackles the power of death by saying, "Death, be not proud," meaning that the concept of death is not something to fear because it is neither powerful nor mighty as one may suggest. Witty argument, a unifying element in metaphysical poetry, is made evident in this sonnet, especially when explains that death should not be "proud" because after one's passing, death itself dies.
 * Unifying Principles**

One of the unifying principles of poetry in the 17th Century is spirituality and its influence on the mind. This element is evident in the previously mentioned //Songs and Sonnets// by John Donne. Another principle that united these poets was Plato and his [|Theory of Forms]. This metaphysical theory paved way for more analytical disputes not only among philosophers, but among poets who employed these notions in their disputes as well.

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Sources: Jokinen, Anniina. 2009. "Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)." Luminarium, Web. 14 March 2007. [] Jokinen, Anniina. 2009. "Metaphysical Poets: An Introduction." Luminarium, Web. 31 August 2006. [] Ruggiero, Tim. 2009. "Plato and the Theory of Forms." Philosophical Society, Web. 29 July 2002. []