Donne's Poetry: Study Guide | SparkNotes

John Donne was an English poet and cleric in the late 16th and early 17th centuries

. He is best known for his metaphysical poetry, which is characterized by its intellectual complexity, use of conceits, and exploration of themes such as love, death, and religion. Donne’s poetry often reflects his own tumultuous life, marked by a mix of worldly and religious experiences. Some of his most famous poems include “The Flea,” “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning,” and “Death Be Not Proud.”

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