The Makings of a Movement: The Metaphysical Poets

Beyond the Verse

In this week’s episode of Beyond the Verse, the official podcast of PoemAnalysis.com and Poetry+, Joe and Maiya delve into the strange brilliance of the Metaphysical Poets. From the explosive intimacy of Donne’s 'The Flea,' to the restless rebellion in Herbert’s 'The Collar,' and the dizzying contradictions of Marvell’s 'To His Coy Mistress,' this episode unpacks what unites—and divides—these 17th-century innovators.
Joe and Maiya trace the origins of the term “metaphysical poets,” coined pejoratively by Samuel Johnson, and explore how these poets tackled vast philosophical themes—time, mortality, innocence, desire—through unexpected conceits and daring paradoxes. They debate whether these poets truly form a unified movement or are better understood as outliers brought together by critics. Whether it’s Donne’s mingling of sacred and profane, Herbert’s oscillation between doubt and faith, or Marvell’s seductive argument wrapped in cosmic dread, this episode wrestles with how intellect, sensuality, and contradiction define the metaphysical legacy.
Get exclusive PDFs on Donne, Marvell, and more—available to Poetry+ users:

• Movement overview PDF: The Metaphysical Poets
• Full PDF Guides on poets:
  • John Donne PDF Guide
  • Andrew Marvell PDF Guide
  • Henry Vaughan PDF Guide

Tune in and discover:

• Why conceits lie at the heart of metaphysical poetry
• How these poets balance contradiction, faith, and philosophy
• What “vegetable love,” fleas, and collars have in common
• Whether the metaphysical poets ever really existed as a movement

Send us a text

Support the show

As always, for the ultimate poetry experience, join Poetry+ and explore all things poetry at PoemAnalysis.com.