{"product_id":"metaphysical-wit-paperback-9780521035293","title":"Metaphysical Wit (Paperback \/ softback) 9780521035293","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eMetaphysical Wit\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis 1992 book seeks the reason for the central importance of wit in the thinking of the metaphysical poets.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eA. J. Smith (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521035293, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 14 December 2006\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e284 pages, 3 b\/w illus.\u003cbr\u003e21.7 x 14 x 1.8 cm, 0.371 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eEnglish metaphysical poetry, from Donne to Marvell, is notoriously witty. In this 1992 book, A. J. Smith seeks the reason for the central importance of wit in the thinking of the metaphysical poets and argues that metaphysical wit is essentially different from other modes of wit current in Renaissance Europe. Formal theories and rhetorics of wit are considered both for their theoretical import and their appraisals of wit in practice. Prevailing fashions of witty invention are scrutinized in Italian, French and Spanish writings, so as to bring out the nature and effect of various forms of wit: conceited, hieroglyphic, transformational and others from which the metaphysical mode is distinguished. He locates the basis of Renaissance wit in the received conception of the created order and a theory of literary innovation inherent in Humanist belief, which led to novel couplings of time and eternity, body and soul, man and God.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003e Acknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e 1. Drastic devices\u003cbr\u003e 2. Mirror of creation\u003cbr\u003e 3. Courtly conceits\u003cbr\u003e 4. Intelligible images\u003cbr\u003e 5. Arts of ingenuity\u003cbr\u003e 6. Metaphorical wit\u003cbr\u003e 7. Metaphysical wit\u003cbr\u003e 8. Sacred earth\u003cbr\u003e Notes\u003cbr\u003e Index.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Literary studies: general [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Literary studies: general\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Literary%20studies:%20general%20%5BDSB%5D%22\"\u003eDSB\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46005938585880,"sku":"9780521035293","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521035293I_b0ac966e-2d86-4e05-bdad-99aa2d78a8f2.jpg?v=1694968303","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/metaphysical-wit-paperback-9780521035293","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}