How Conceited Is Donne’s Metaphysical Conceit? A Possible World Perspective With Multiverse Commendation

Authors

Aqsa Maryam

Assistant Professor, Department of English, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

Mehwish Sahibzada

Lecturer, Department of English, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

Mamoona Asif

Lecturer, Department of English, National University of Modern Languages, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2021(5-III)31

Keywords

Accessibility Relationship Metaphysical Conceit Bird Perspective Frog Perspective Multiverse Possible World Schrödinger’s Cat

Abstract

Metaphysical conceit as popularized by John Donne has remained a narratlogical enigma considering the truth value of the eccentric, stretched metaphorical ideas presented in this category of poetry. Narratologists like Lewis (1986) have successfully made use of the Possible World (PW) theory and the accessibility principle to weigh the logical validity of fictitious text worlds. However, the Possible World theory is a philosophical theory that capitalizes on ontological considerations. This study, in addition to Possible World Theory, makes use of the scientific Multiverse (MV) Theory from Quantum Physics to gauge the logical and potential worth of the metaphysical conceit presented by John Donne; there is a reconciliation of PW and MV theories as narratological frameworks to explore text worlds, and to weigh the veracity of text worlds presented in the metaphysical poetry of Donne. The study explored the text worlds of metaphysical conceit as possible worlds, and as plausible worlds in the outer cosmic space, and concluded that the logical value of text, in greater part, is provided by both the cognitive and scientific realities.