Question

Although Marvell and Donne both employ metaphysical conceits in their poems, their purposes and aesthetics differ. Examine these differences, explaining the use of metaphysical conceit in each work and the purposes that this tool serves. Your answer should be at least 250 words.

Answer 1

John Donne is well known for his original and complex conceits. He establishes unheard comparisons between two objects. For example, in one poem he uses the metaphor of coins to express teardrops. In the same way, in his famous poem "The Flea", Donne elaborates an intrincate metaphor of love in the mixing of blood on the inside of a flee. The poet speaks to his mistress about not killing the flea that carries both of their bloods, meaning a plea that their love does not end. This is an elegant, but as well sarcastic and humorous way of expression. That if the main difference between Donne and Marvell. The first one has a playful style, while the second one is more serious, as he explores ideas in two paths: their inmediate meaning and the philosophical implications. Marvell follows a more classical approach, in the sense that he unearths some concepts from the literary heritage, such as carpe diem in his poem "To His Coy Mistress". In this poem, Marvell focusses on telling a girl about how limited time is, how they cannot waste their lives and how they have to enjoy to the fullest their existences.