Metaphysical Poets – Page 3 – Interesting Literature

A Short Analysis of George Herbert’s ‘Church-Monuments’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Church-Monuments’ is one of the greatest poems by the Welsh Metaphysical poet George Herbert (1593-1633). The poem is a memento mori – a reminder that we will die – but one with an altogether more stoic and positive outlook on death than many such poems. What follows is a brief summary analysis of Herbert’s ‘Church-Monuments’. What does this poem mean?

Church-Monuments

While that my soul repairs to her devotion,
Here I intomb my flesh, that it betimes
May take acquaintance of this heap of dust;
To which the blast of death’s incessant motion,
Fed with the exhalation of our crimes,
Drives all at last. Therefore I gladly trust

A Short Analysis of George Herbert’s ‘Jordan (I)’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

George Herbert (1593-1633) is one of the greatest devotional poets in English literature; he is also associated with the Metaphysical Poets of the seventeenth century. ‘Jordan (I)’ is one of his most famous poems, and concerns itself with the role of poetry itself. What follows is a very short analysis of ‘Jordan (I)’ (sometimes known as ‘Jordan 1’), in terms of its language, meaning, and themes.

A Short Analysis of John Donne’s ‘The Flea’

A summary of one of Donne’s most celebrated poems by Dr Oliver Tearle

‘The Flea’ is one of the most popular poems written by John Donne (1572-1631). Like many of his greatest poems, it contains elements associated with metaphysical poetry. Here is the poem, followed by a short summary and analysis of it.