The Canonization

Poetry | John Donne
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Write a short note on Metaphysical Conceit.

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Write a short note on Metaphysical Conceit.

A metaphysical conceit is a special kind of comparison used by metaphysical poets like John Donne (1572-1631) and George Herbert (1593-1633). It is not a simple comparison like “her face is like a flower.” Instead, it is a strange, surprising, and far-fetched comparison between two very different things. This comparison is used to explain a deep idea in a clever way. A metaphysical conceit often continues for several lines. So, it becomes an extended metaphor.

In John Donne’s “The Canonization” (1633), we can see beautiful examples of metaphysical conceits. Donne compares the lovers to saints. Of course, the lovers are not real sain

ts of religion. But the speaker says their love is so pure that people will “canonize” them. This means their love will become holy. People will pray to learn to love like them. This is a surprising comparison. It shows the power and purity of true love. Donne also uses the “Phoenix” conceit. The lovers are compared to a Phoenix, a magical bird that dies and is reborn from its own ashes. Donne uses this to say that even if the lovers die, their love will live forever.

In George Herbert’s “The Collar” (1633), we also see strong metaphysical conceits. The word “collar” itself is a conceit. Priests wear a white collar. But the collar is also worn by animals like dogs. Like a dog’s collar, the priest’s collar is a symbol of being controlled. Here, Herbert compares the speaker’s religious life to a collar. This collar tells us that the speaker’s life is controlled by his religious duties. He feels restricted, angry, tired, and confused. This is why he wants to leave his religious life.

Thus, a metaphysical conceit is a clever comparison. It is used to express deep feelings in a powerful, surprising way.

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from The Canonization