Life of Cowley - Part B

  • What kind of poems did the metaphysical poets write?

The metaphysical poets were a group of 17th-century English poets who wrote in a distinctive style characterized by wit and the use of conceits. Metaphysical poetry often explores themes related to religion, morality and love. Metaphysical poetry is known for its highly intellectual and imaginative nature. Donne, Marvell, Cowley and Vaughan wrote not only love poems but also religious poems. Vaughan wrote only religious poems. The love poems have a different character and philosophy. 


According to Cowley, five years ago he loved his mistress and he was inconstant in love. With the passage of time love also changes its character. Earlier "flesh" was an important thing in love, but with the age it changes. Everything is inconstant. Incest is now a taboo and the attraction of flesh is disappearing.


[ Incest is human sexual activity between family members or close relatives.

   taboo=restricted, prohibited, forbidden, banned 

inconstant= not constant; changeable, not staying the same, especially in emotion, behaviour, or choice of sexual partner

flesh = the soft parts of the body of a person, দৈহিক কামনা]