Early Seventeenth-Century Poetry (1600-1660): Metaphysical, Cavalier, & Puritan | Lecture 8

In this lecture we consider the three major styles of the early seventeenth-century poetry: the metaphysical, cavalier, and puritan styles.
In our last lecture, we considered Renaissance poetry of the late sixteenth century, a poetry that is characterized by classical decoration, neat organization, musical turns, praise and passion for idealized lovers cast in elegant Elizabethan delicacy. Early seventeenth century poetic styles depart from this tradition in complex ways.
Introduction: 0:00-4:25
Metaphysical Style: 4:25-19:05
English Civil Wars - Historical Context: 19:05-22:22
Cavalier Style: 22:22-29:29
Puritan Style: 29:29-42:22
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[@dylanmateo68]

I have an MA in English, 3 homeschooled boys and often visit this site for material to teach my boys and my college students...

[@Tomas-nq8gf]

This channel is going places.

[@cassiopeiathew7406]

I’m very grateful I found this channel, I’ve been very interested in learning more about European history and pre 19th century literature. Particularly enlightenment but also the Metaphysical poets (primarily John Donne), Shakespeare and Jean De La Fontaine. I have Marianne Moore’s translations of the latter and I’m starting into the former at the moment and the videos of John Donne you have on your channel operate really well as a way of understanding the skeleton of the poem along with analysis somebody who hasn’t read the Bible might get from it, I’m much better with the 19th and 20th centuries but I want to challenge myself because my favorite things to read are the ones that are things that are difficult to understand (part of what makes him so difficult is that I’m so dull with this period and that he’s very tricky, so it’s a very enjoyable challenge). You’re very good at teaching this sort of content, and your videos have been very helpful both in learning about this period of literature and giving the resources to produce readings of poems.

[@closereadingpoetry]

So kind of you to leave this comment. I'm glad these videos are helpful to you!

[@Khatoon170]

Thank you mr Adam for your wonderful cultural literary channel. As always iam gathering main information about topics you mentioned briefly. Please don’t misunderstand me . Reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English as none native speakers. Type of poetry however lyric written to be sung . Wasn’t still most popular form of poetry. Poets of 17 th century preferred shorter poems rather than long ones . Most of sixteenth th century poets preferred sonnets as well as long poems . 17 th century poetry called metaphysical poets . There are two major styles of early 17 th century poetry in England metaphysical poetry and cavalier poetry. Term metaphysical poets coined by critic samuel Johnson to describe loose group of 17 th century English poets whose work was characterised by inventive use of conceits , by greater emphasis on speaker rather than lyrical quality of their verse . Poets of 17 th century too their works are marked philosophical exploration, colloquial in genius conceits , irony , flexible lines . Most important metaphysical poets is John Donne . Major metaphysical poets include Andrew Marvell, Henry Vaughan, George Herbert. Cavalier poets known as royalists . Cavalier poetry is straight forward , yet refined. Many of poems centered around sensual , romantic love , also idea of carpe diem which means to seize day . Well known cavalier poets sir John suckling, Thomas Carew, Richard Lovelace, Robert herrick. Term cavalier was first used by roundheads as term of abuse for wealthier royalist supporters of King Charles 1 and his son Charles 11 of England during English civil war . Puritan is movement that reached it peak popularity in New England around 17 th century. Goal of Puritan literary was to uphold word of god and bible , also to make religion of Puritanism more accessible and relevant to day to day - person. Puritanism begun in England was radical Protestant movement to reform Church of England. Puritan poets such as John Milton, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, John Dryden. Puritan poetry also called Jacobean and Caroline poetry .

[@rizwanalyhamiya8162]

I really like your content

[@emiliastraub]

I never got to understanding literature in school. English was my worst subject. I watch your videos because I do aspire to understand and they are so helpful