A metaphysical conceit is a literary device that was particularly popular among poets of the 17th century, especially those associated with the metaphysical poetry movement in England. It involves the use of a far-fetched, elaborate, or extended analogy or comparison between two seemingly dissimilar things, in order to explore a complex or abstract idea.
Metaphysical conceits often involve elements of wit, paradox, and intellectual cleverness, and are characterized by their use of intricate and unexpected connections between things. They can take the form of elaborate comparisons between the physical and the spiritual, the concrete and the abstract, or the material and the immaterial.
One famous example of a metaphysical conceit is John Donne's poem "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning," in which he compares the love between two people to the movement of a compass:
"Thy soul, the fixed foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if the other do.
And though it in the center sit,
Yet when the other far doth roam,
It leans and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home."
In this poem, Donne uses the metaphor of a compass to illustrate the idea that true love involves a connection between two people that transcends physical distance and separation
Metaphysical conceits are often used to explore philosophical or spiritual ideas, and can be found in a wide range of literary works, including poetry, prose, and drama. They are known for their ability to provoke thought and to challenge readers to consider new and unconventional ways of looking at the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment