Question by Wamde Tanka: Ben Jonson’s “To Celia” is cavalier, NOT metaphysical, right?
So, I was given that question written as :
“Ben Jonson’s To Celia is a metaphysical poem. Explain.”
I’ve already studied some of the metaphysical poets, and some of the CAVALIER ones -who also happen to be known as “The Tribe of BEN JONSON”.
Metaphysical poetry differs greatly from cavalry poetry, and I don’t see how “To Celia” could be metaphysical!
And then a lecturer of mine told me that cavalry poetry can be considered as a derivative from metaphysical poetry, and that the following capitalized verses proves his point -as they’re metaphysical conceits:
DRINK TO ME WITH THINE EYES
AND I WILL PLEDGE WITH MINE.
Or leave a kiss but in the cup
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.
I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much hon’ring thee”
AS GIVING IT A HOPE THAT THERE
IT COULD NOT WITHERED BE;
But thou thereon did’st only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me,
SINCE WHEN IT GROWS AND SMELLS, I SWEAR
NOT OF ITSELF, BUT THEE.
Could you help me please?
Best answer:
Answer by erato
First of all be careful not to call it “cavalry” poetry — it’s not the same as “cavalier.”
Second, cavalier poetry is not a derivative from metaphysical poetry, seeing as how they developed around the same time. It’s true that Jonson is not generally thought of as metaphysical poet, but divisions like “tribe of Ben” and “tribe of Donne” are rather superficial, and even the grouping “metaphysical poets” is problematic, because Donne was rather “sui generis,” in a class of his own. The first time the term was used was Dryden’s comment that “Donne affects the metaphysics,” but by the time Dr. Johnson used “metaphysical” to describe more than one poet, he did so in his biography of Abraham Cowley. Mind you, both times the term was pejorative.
Where does that leave you with “To Celia”? Metaphysical poetry was characterized by wit and ingenuity. Jonson is certainly witty and ingenious in handling romantic rejection in the form of a returned wreath. He turns it around with a lovely paradox, that in returning the wreath the lady has actually given him a gift, the perfume of her own emanation. The phrases you highlight are not strictly metaphysical conceits (which has a long definition of its own), but they are unusual turns of phrase (I would add “leave a kiss…in a cup” to the list) and can be termed metaphysical. There’s also the concern for the connection between the human and the divine/spiritual, between microcosm and macrocosm (the upward movement of the “thirst that from the soul doth rise”). This long-established analogy was beginning to break down around the time that Donne and Jonson were writing, so there is a tension in their use of it for poetic effect.
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