The Metaphysical School of Poets
THE METAPHYSICAL SCHOOL OF POETS The Term Metaphysical The word "Metaphysical" was first used by Dr. Johnson, who took it from Dryden. Dryden had said about Donne, "He affects the metaphysics." It means these poets tried to express deep thoughts beyond the ordinary meaning of subjects. Originally, the word was used in a negative way, implying that these poets were unnatural and strange in their style. Dr. Johnson gave a famous description of the Metaphysical poets, though he was mostly critical of them. The Metaphysical Poets John Donne started the Metaphysical style in the early 17th century. Dryden criticized Donne for using philosophy in love poems. Dr. Johnson admired Donne but found his work difficult to understand. Donne influenced many poets like George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, Henry Vaughan, Abraham Cowley, Sir John Suckling, and John Cleveland. Among them, Dr. Johnson considered Cowley the best. However, Dryden and Pope thought Cowley was not a good writer...
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