The characteristics of the English and the Western Jin Metaphysical Poems

Abstract：In the 17th century， English literature is noted by the metaphysical poems. “A Valediction： Forbidding Mourning” （hereinafter referred to as “A Valediction”） is a metaphysical poem which is based on the theme of two lovers about to part for an extended time written by the famous poet John Donne. “A Valediction” is known for its conceits and analogies to describe the couples relationship. Dating back 1400 years， the period of the founding of the Western Jin Dynasty is marked by the declining of the Confucianism and the rising of the Huang Lao philosophy （a branch of Daoism） following with the initial stage of Metaphysics. The poem “14th of the Scholar Joining the Army” （hereinafter referred to as “Joining the Army”） is a metaphysical poem composed in 2nd century by Ji Kang， one of the celebrated representatives of four-character and initial Metaphysical Poets in Chinese history. This essay tries to analyze the characteristics of the English metaphysical poems and the Western Jin Dynasty metaphysical poems by comparing and contrasting two see-off poems of the two representatives respectively from two different cultures.

Key words：characteristic English metaphysical poem， the Western Jin Dynasty metaphysical poem， contrast， comparison

1. Contrast

Firstly， “A valediction” is full of conceits. Conceit is an extended metaphor with a complex logic that governs a poetic passage or entire poem. At the very beginning， the poem goes that “As virtuous men pass mildly away/ And whisper to their souls to go，” John puts forward a metaphysical analogy—live apart i.e. died apart. Readers may be confused by the rare forms and the obscure language. However， in the third stanza， he compares the separation with his wife to the trepidation of the sphere， while for the ordinary， it is just like the moving of earth. By contrasting， the trepidation seems more sacred and mysterious， and the emphasis that their love is incomparable is agreeable. Meanwhile， in the sixth stanza， he compares their love to the gold which has the physical ability of tractability. Therefore their farewell is the extension of love which will never be easily fractured by distance. The last three stanzas come the well-known metaphysical conceit. John assimilates they two as two feet of a compass “such wilt thou be to me， who must/ Like th other foot， obliquely run； Thy firmness makes my circle just， And makes me end where I begun” which implies that only when they both be loyal and steadfast could the love be consummate. Hence， this signifies that their love is true and has surpassed all other secular one. However， it is rather appropriate to say that if there is no conceits， then no John Donne and metaphysical poems. The witty conceits make English metaphysical poems stand out in the literary.

Secondly， the two poems also differ in the direct and indirect ways to express feelings. John just states what he wants to say forthrightly—the affirmation of their love and the urge for both of them. While Ji Kangs way of expression is more roundabout which corresponds to the traditional Chinese obscurity. The external meaning of his poem is bidding farewell to his brother， persuading his brother not to struggle for higher political position and get rid of vanity. Ji Kang hopes that he could cultivate the oblivion of honor and disgrace with out compunction. Nevertheless， the implication is the expression of his own broad mind and ideal to haunt around the field of metaphysics， to keep distance with the common customs， to return to the nature， which could be easily found in the verses： “They pluck the five-string musical instrument， seeing off the wild goose which flew back to the south” –the leisure demeanor of the Western Jin Dynasty.

2. Comparison

Both the two kinds of metaphysics are the products of social turbulence. During the regime of James I who proclaimed the divine power of the Kings and commanded persecution towards the Puritans. The religious confliction between the Roman Catholic Church and the newly-immerging Anglican Church stimulated the group of thinkers to turn to the metaphysical field. Furthermore， Ji Kang lived in the period after the collapse of Han Dynasty and the founding of the Western Jin Dynasty in 250 A.D.， during which the elite interest began to shift from Confucianism to Huang Lao philosophy， which calls for the abandon of the traditional ritual law and returning to the nature. The doctrine of Lao Huang pervaded and the Confucianism gradually became away from the main stream， which provided a hotbed for metaphysics. At the same time the Upheaval of the Eight Princes （291-306A.D.）， the Five barbarians Invasion of China and the Chaos in Yong Jia all exacerbated the precariousness. Therefore， people who were well-educated began to worship this emerging metaphysics.

In conclusion， The characteristics of the English and the Western Jin Dynasty metaphysical poems share many differences and similarities. The differences are obvious. English metaphysical poems is adept at using conceits and prefer to adopt a scientific way to appeal for the abandon of the customary and express its theme， usually love directly， while the Western Jin Dynasty metaphysical poems focus more on the aspect of life through a more indirect way to express their aspire towards the Huang Lao philosophy. However， it is impossible to ignore their similarities. Both the two kinds of English and Chinese poems are the product of their instable society and pay a close attention to nature. These are the reasons why both the two kinds of poems can find echo with readers and circulate down the centuries.

【作者簡介】

孫珂（1996—），女，漢族，河北邯鄲人，河北大學外國語學院英語專業本科生。