The Monarch of Wit

First Published in 1951, The Monarch of Wit presents John Donnes poetry in its proper context. The chief purpose of the book is to enable the reader to approach Donnes poetry without preconceptions of what metaphysical poetry is or ought to be. Some of the questions which the author constantly has in mind are these: What are the main resemblances and differences, on the one hand, between Donnes poetry and Ben Jonsons, and, on the other hand, between Donnes poetry and that of poets who are commonly regarded as his disciples? How much of Donnes poetry may be appropriately described as "metaphysical", as personal or autobiographical, or as the expression of what has been called a "unified sensibility"? This book is a must read for scholars and researchers of English poetry, English literature, and European literature.