English Lit 101: Major Periods and Movements The Renaissance Metaphysical Poets Cavalier Poets

The Renaissance, Metaphysical Poets, Cavalier Poets

What It Is

The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, characterized by a revival of classical Greek and Roman culture. Metaphysical poets were a group of English poets who wrote in the 17th century, known for their complex and intellectual style. Cavalier poets were a group of English poets who wrote in the 17th century, known for their light and playful style. John Donne's poem "The Sun Rising" is a canonical example of Metaphysical poetry, which explores the relationship between the speaker and the sun using complex metaphors and imagery.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Renaissance: A cultural and intellectual movement in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century.
• Metaphysical poetry: A style of poetry characterized by complex and intellectual language, often using metaphors and imagery to explore abstract ideas.
• Cavalier poetry: A style of poetry characterized by light and playful language, often using satire and humor to explore social issues.
• John Donne: A Metaphysical poet known for his complex and intellectual style.
• Andrew Marvell: A Metaphysical poet known for his exploration of nature and politics.
• Robert Herrick: A Cavalier poet known for his light and playful style.
• Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using "like" or "as."
• Simile: A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as."
• Conceit: A complex metaphor that explores a abstract idea or concept.
• Satire: A literary device that uses humor or irony to criticize social issues.
• Intellectual style: A style of writing that emphasizes complex language and abstract ideas.
• Classical culture: The culture of ancient Greece and Rome, which was revived during the Renaissance.
• Humanism: A philosophical movement that emphasizes human potential and individualism.
• Courtly love: A literary device that explores the relationship between a knight and his lady.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding: Metaphysical poetry is just about complex language.
Correction: Metaphysical poetry is about exploring abstract ideas and concepts using complex language.

Misunderstanding: Cavalier poetry is just about being light and playful.
Correction: Cavalier poetry is about using satire and humor to explore social issues.

Misunderstanding: The Renaissance was just a cultural movement.
Correction: The Renaissance was a cultural, intellectual, and artistic movement that transformed European society.

Quick Application / Identification

1. Identify the literary device used in the following excerpt from John Donne's "The Sun Rising": "Busy old fool, unruly Sun, / Why dost thou thus, / Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?" Answer: Metaphor. Reason: The sun is compared to a "busy old fool" without using "like" or "as."

2. Identify the literary device used in the following excerpt from Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time": "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, / Old Time is still a-flying: / And this same flower that smiles to-day, / To-morrow will be dying." Answer: Satire. Reason: The poem uses humor and irony to criticize the passing of time.

3. Identify the literary movement that influenced the following excerpt from William Shakespeare's "The Tempest": "How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, / That has such people in it!" Answer: Renaissance. Reason: The passage reflects the Renaissance emphasis on human potential and individualism.

Last‑Minute Revision

• ⚠️ The Renaissance occurred from the 14th to the 17th century.
• John Donne wrote "The Sun Rising" in 1633.
• Metaphysical poetry is characterized by complex and intellectual language.
• Cavalier poetry is characterized by light and playful language.
• Andrew Marvell wrote "To His Coy Mistress" in 1681.
• Robert Herrick wrote "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" in 1648.
• The term "Renaissance" was first used by the French historian Jules Michelet in 1859.
• The Metaphysical poets were influenced by classical culture.
• The Cavalier poets were influenced by courtly love.
• The Renaissance was a cultural, intellectual, and artistic movement.
• Humanism was a key philosophical movement of the Renaissance.
• The Renaissance saw a revival of classical culture.
• The Metaphysical poets explored abstract ideas and concepts.
• The Cavalier poets used satire and humor to explore social issues.