John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Thomas Carew, and Henry Vaughan-these were some of the seventeenth-century writers who devised a new form of poetry full of wit, intellect, and grace, which we now call metaphysical poetry. They wrote about their deepest religious feelings and their carnal pleasures in a way that was radically new and challenging to their readers. Their work was largely misunderstood or ignored for two centuries, until twentieth-century critics rediscovered it, finding in it a deep originality and a willingness to experiment that made much conventional poetry look merely decorative. This collection provides the perfect introduction to this diverse group of fascinating poets.
Less
Reflow text when sidebars are open.
