Docente

Universidad Pedagógica Nacional.
Literature in English II
Group 2.
Ángela Martínez Castañeda

Class minute: Thursday 6th September/ 2012
Topic: Metaphysical poets.

Class begins with theanalysis of John Donne’s sonnet: Sonnet X. Doing the analysis of structure professor explains about the importance of reading poems before all classes; so that we can identify in long or short verses asolemn- slow or quickly character of rhythm. Besides, analysis focuses on Carpe diem’s character in the sonnet: Apparently it does not seem to be a Carpe diem poem because of principal topic (death),but Professor clarifies it in another perspective of life in the death. Also a reference in Apocalypses is founded in the verse: And dost with poison, war and sickness dwell.
With this sonnetprofessor explains the meaning of metaphysical poets; a group of poets that use topics as love, death and time to make reflections using paradoxes and stylistic resources like irony and sarcasm. Afterexplanation we continue with analysis of poem To his coy mistress considered by professor as one of the most elaborated poems of English Literature. About this, another concept is mentioned: Courtly love,an antichristian conception of love that establishes that if love is true have to have obstacles… and the best, if she is married. About the poem we could find some symbolic elements like rubies (itscolor it represents passion) and world and time limits (mentioned by the poem in the Indian Ganges, the flood and conversion of the Jews). Also some metaphors and reflections about passing of time–Carpe diem- and erotic images… something like an invitation to sex.

Professor ends with a captive gesture in his face, given by the poem… so that he told us about the experience he knew this poem inUniversity’s context. That passion he feels and transmits for poetry made me create some pleasure for English poetry (Poetry was something I was not interested). At least I feel at ease when I read...