Both Baroque poetry in general and metaphysical poetry in particular expressed a Catholic worldview. Both Baroque and metaphysical poetry frequently took God as their subject, as in the vicar John Donne's famous "Holy Sonnet XIV: Batter My Heart" or "A Hymn to God the Father." Many metaphysical poems present God as perfect, and humans, by nature imperfect, have to strive for perfection in order to reach God. Both Baroque and its branch of metaphysical poetry spiritualize all aspects of life, including romantic love, experience and existence.
In addition to the rise of monarchies across Europe, scientific discoveries also changed the way people perceived the world and themselves. Science occasioned a growing doubt in the appearance of things as it cast into doubt the way people had always perceived the world. Baroque and metaphysical poetry reflects this preoccupation with appearance through its play with imagery and metaphorical conceit (startling comparison).
Like Baroque paintings, Baroque and metaphysical poetry are excessive, incorporating both reason and passion, as in "Holy Sonnet XIV," where Donne compares God's love for him as rape. However, the poem also participates in an argument for the absolute omnipotence of God. Baroque and metaphysical poets loved to use hyperbole (exaggerated comparison) and striking metaphors, both devices Donne uses in "Holy Sonnet XIV."
Paradoxically, despite their extravagant passion, all forms of Baroque poetry strove to present rational arguments. Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" exemplifies this idea. Full of vivid, extravagant imagery that spans the universe, the poem essentially attempts to persuade a lover that because time is of the essence, they should wait no longer to consummate their love. The poem is both passionate and logical at once.