English Literature - Chief Characteristics of John Donne's Poetry

Q. What are the chief characteristics of John Donne’s poetry?

Ans:    John Donne is a famous Metaphysical poet.  The following are the chief characteristics of his poetry:

1. Founder of the Metaphysical School: John Donne is the founder of the Metaphysical School of poetry.  He wrote his poetry mainly about love and religion.  His poetry shows his scholasticism and his deep reflective interest in his experiences.  His poetry reveals his psychological curiosity.

1.      Metaphysical imagery and conceits:  Donne’s poetry is heavily overloaded with conceits.  These conceits may be defined as the excessive use of over elaborated similes and metaphors.  His similes and metaphors are drawn from the most farfetched, remote and unfamiliar sources.  His images are logical and intellectual rather than sensuous or emotional. 

2.      Difficulty and Obscurity: Donne uses words which call the mind into play rather than which speak to the senses. His words and phrases appear difficult and obscure in the first instance.  A thorough intellectual exercise is required to understand their true meaning.

3.      Fantastic conceits and versification:  Donne elaborates images at length.  In course of time, the elaboration lapses into the ridiculous and the fantastic.  He uses extravagant hyperboles.

4.      Language:  Donne’s poetry revolts against the worn out traditions of the day.  He never uses the easy and familiar mythological imagery.  He uses a new vocabulary with no associative value.  His rhythms are not in harmony.  They give a jar and jolt to the reader.

5.      Abrupt and colloquial openings: Donne often begins his poems abruptly.  Most of the times, he surprises and shocks the reader with his colloquial openings.  For example, “The Canonization” poem begins with the line: “For God’s sake, hold your tongue and let me love”.

6.      Unification of sensibility:  His poetry reflects unification of sensibility.  He gives intellectual arguments in support of his point of view.  In “The Canonization” poem, he establishes that lovers are saints of love.