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Metaphysical irony

Concept
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Irony within metaphysical poetry emphasizing paradox in logic and love

Detailed Definition
Metaphysical irony arises when a poem juxtaposes intellectual argument with emotional vulnerability or spiritual doubt, creating tension between logic and feeling; characteristic of 17th-century metaphysical poets like Herbert or Marvell, it often uses paradox to question divine or human certainties.
Example
Example in poetry:
Metaphysical irony juxtaposes spiritual longing with earthly limitation: "I seek heaven’s fire, yet burn in candle wax— / divine ambition in a snuffed-out match."
Additional Notes
Irony arising from metaphysical/philosophical contradictions or paradoxes. Related: metaphysical conceit, paradox. Tip: Distinguished from verbal irony by deeper ontological or theological contradictions—being/nothingness, time/eternity, body/soul.
Also Known As
Metaphysical sarcasm Philosophical irony Abstract contradiction Conceptual opposite-meaning
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