Who is not a metaphysical poet?

• A. John Donne
• B. George Herbert
• C. Robert Burns
• D. Andrew Marvell

Answer: (C)

Metaphysical poetry is defined by witty, often startling conceits, and a mode of poetry that blends philosophical argument with lyric intensity. It flourished in 17th-century England, with poets who weave spiritual or intellectual debates into compact, sharply crafted lines. Among the poets listed, John Donne, George Herbert, and Andrew Marvell are classic representatives: Donne is famous for metaphysical conceits linking love, religion, and mortality; Herbert writes devotional verse that doubles as spiritual argument; Marvell combines keen intellect with political and personal themes in concise, thought-provoking forms. Robert Burns, on the other hand, belongs to the 18th century and is renowned for his songs and poems in Scots and English that tackle love, nature, social life, and human experience in a direct, accessible voice. He does not rely on the elaborate conceits and argumentative, metaphysical texture that define metaphysical poetry, so he is not considered part of that group.