George Herbert: Poems Lesson Plan

Metaphysical Conceits

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will study metaphysical conceits and analyze their presence in Herbert's poetry.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1

Structure:

Begin the activity by returning to the title of "The Collar." As students have already discussed, the collar is a metaphor for religion and submission to God, but one that is strange to contemporary sensibilities. Unusual metaphors (called "conceits") are a key facet of Herbert's school of poetry: metaphysical poetry.

Begin the activity by having students read the definition of a...