What are metaphysical poems?
The metaphysical poets were a loose group of British lyric poets of the 17th century, who shared an interest in metaphysical concerns and a common way of investigating them. The label “metaphysical” was given much later by Samuel Johnson in his Life of Cowley. Their style was characterized by wit, subtle argumentations, “metaphysical conceits”, and/or an unusual simile or metaphor such as in Andrew Marvell’s comparison of the soul with a drop of dew. Several metaphysical poets, especially John Donne, were influenced by NeoPlatonism. Metaphysics poetry was influenced greatly by the changing times, new sciences and the new found debauched scene of the 17th century.
