Subject
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism Books
Best books
W. W. (Walter Wilson) Greg
Pastoral Poetry & Pastoral Drama A Literary Inquiry, with Special Reference to the Pre-Restoration Stage in England
"Pastoral Poetry & Pastoral Drama" by W. W. Greg is a literary inquiry published in the early 20th century. This work explores the evolution and significance of pastoral literature, with a particular emphasis on pre-Restoration English pastoral drama and its foundations in the broader European pastoral tradition. Greg investigates various forms of pastoral poetry and drama, tracing their origins and transformations across centuries. The opening of the inquiry outlines Greg's motivation for writing this extensive examination. He details a decade-long journey that began with a short article on English pastoral drama, emphasizing its necessity for a nuanced understanding of broader European pastoralism. The text introduces the complex nature of pastoral literature, which often blurs the lines between reality and artistic idealization, and sets the stage for a more intricate analysis of its historical and literary development, starting with foreign influences before navigating through English pastoral practices.
Samuel Johnson
Lives of the English Poets : Waller, Milton, Cowley
"Lives of the English Poets: Waller, Milton, Cowley" by Samuel Johnson is a critical work published between 1779-81. This collection presents short biographies and literary critiques of 52 English poets, mostly from the eighteenth century. Johnson examines each poet's life, character, and major works, offering judgments that proved controversial even upon publication. His assessments—including harsh views on Milton's "Lycidas" and metaphysical poetry—sparked immediate debate. Commissioned by London publishers to compete with Scottish editions, these prefaces evolved from brief introductions into substantial literary criticism that shaped how generations understood English poetry.
Samuel Johnson
Lives of the English Poets Gay, Thomson, Young, Gray, &c.
"Lives of the English Poets" by Samuel Johnson is a biographical collection written in the early 18th century. This work presents an array of poetic figures from the English literary canon, focusing on their lives, contributions, and the circumstances that shaped their artistry. Notable subjects include figures like Edward Young, William King, and John Gay, as Johnson examines both their literary merit and personal experiences. The opening of this work introduces the reader to the premise and structure of the collection, specifically noting that it includes twenty lives of English poets, with particular attention given to Edward Young. Johnson provides a chronological account of poets born in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, such as Samuel Garth, Charles Montague, and William Collins, discussing their literary achievements in relation to their backgrounds and the social dynamics of their time. He sets the stage for a deeper exploration of these writers, hinting at the varied themes and life stories that will follow in the subsequent chapters.
Samuel Johnson
Johnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1
"Johnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1" by Samuel Johnson is a collection of biographies written between 1779-81. Commissioned by London publishers to compete with Scottish editions, Johnson crafted biographical sketches and critical assessments of 52 English poets, mostly from the eighteenth century. Though some prefaces began as brief introductions, many expanded into substantial explorations of each poet's life, character, and work. Johnson's judgments proved controversial from publication, with critics challenging his views on Milton, Gray, and Swift, among others.
Samuel Johnson
Lives of the Poets, Volume 1
"Lives of the Poets, Volume 1" by Samuel Johnson is a collection of biographies written between 1779-81. This landmark work presents short biographies and critical appraisals of 52 English poets, most from the eighteenth century. Commissioned by London publishers to compete with Scottish editions, Johnson crafted portraits that blend life narratives with character assessments and literary criticism. His judgments sparked immediate controversy—praised for compelling prose yet criticized for prejudiced opinions on Milton, Swift, and the Metaphysical poets, while conspicuously omitting women writers entirely.
Samuel Johnson
Lives of the English Poets : Prior, Congreve, Blackmore, Pope
"Lives of the English Poets: Prior, Congreve, Blackmore, Pope" by Samuel Johnson is a biographical and critical work published between 1779-81. This volume presents Johnson's assessments of four poets, part of his larger collection examining 52 English poets. Johnson combines biographical narrative with character sketches and critical evaluations of their major works. Originally commissioned by London publishers to compete with Scottish editions, these prefaces grew beyond their intended scope, revealing Johnson's sharp judgments and occasional prejudices that sparked immediate debate among his contemporaries.
T. S. (Thomas Stearns) Eliot
Homage to John Dryden: Three Essays on Poetry of the Seventeenth Century
"Homage to John Dryden: Three Essays on Poetry of the Seventeenth Century" by Eliot is a collection of critical essays written in the early 20th century. The book examines the poetry of the seventeenth century, focusing particularly on John Dryden, the metaphysical poets, and Andrew Marvell. It explores the elegance, dignity, and unique qualities of poetry from this era, contrasting it with the popular verse of later periods. In these essays, Eliot seeks to revive appreciation for John Dryden's work, arguing that his genius extends beyond satire to a profound mastery of language that has often been overlooked. He discusses the characteristics of metaphysical poetry, particularly the complex interplay of ideas and emotions that defined poets like John Donne and Andrew Marvell. Through insightful analysis, Eliot highlights the sophistication and relevance of seventeenth-century poetry, emphasizing its contributions to the broader trajectory of English literature and calling for a renewed understanding of its merits.
John Smith Harrison
Platonism in English poetry of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
"Platonism in English Poetry of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries" by John Smith Harrison is a scholarly treatise examining the influence of Platonic philosophy on English poetry, written during the early 20th century. The work articulates how Platonism shaped the spiritual and ethical framework of poets from that period, focusing specifically on poets like Edmund Spenser. The book delves into themes of love, beauty, holiness, and the moral ideals that stem from Platonic thought, providing insights into how these ideas were integrated into the poetic landscape of the time. The opening of the text establishes its critical approach, detailing how Harrison intends to explore Platonism not through the lens of individual poets but as a collective influence on the poetry as a whole. He introduces concepts such as the duality of earthly versus heavenly beauty, discussing how these notions manifest in Spenser's work, particularly through allegorical characters symbolizing virtues like holiness and temperance. As an example, he highlights the character Una from "The Faerie Queene," depicting her as an embodiment of Platonic wisdom and truth. Furthermore, the text comments on how the poets of the time aligned their depictions of love and beauty with Platonic ideals, framing the discussion within a broader cultural and historical context. This scholarly examination serves to illuminate the intricate ways in which philosophy informed poetic expression during a pivotal era in English literature.
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