John Donne satirist: metaphor, wit & art

This essay focuses on the metaphors of John Donne’s satires, and on the witty effect they produce. Consider-ing the genre of the compositions, this text alsoapproaches the historical criteria that determined the decorum and the verisimilitude of 17th century satire, pointing out that diverse types of metaphors could be appropriate and common in this genre. Analyzing selected verses of Donne’s satires, it is possible to note the witty and technical use the poet makes of the places of invention previously authorized for the satiric genre, and note how he manages to imitate the Latin satirists and, at the same time, diversify the elocution and the witty conceits