Chapter 7, 9 &10 English poets, 1660-1789 & 19th-Century Poets

From From An Outline of English LiteratureAn Outline of English Literature by Thornle by Thornley and Robertsy and Roberts

The Age of Reason Order was important in men’s thoughts (p.7Order was important in men’s thoughts (p.7

3)3) Heroic couplet is well suited to verse based oHeroic couplet is well suited to verse based o

n reasoningn reasoning

Alexander PopeAlexander Pope The Rape of the LockThe Rape of the Lock (= The Stealing of the (= The Stealing of the

Hair, 1712-4)Hair, 1712-4) Taking a light subject and treats it as importaTaking a light subject and treats it as importa

nt (p.72)nt (p.72) Lord Petre had cut off some hair from Miss Lord Petre had cut off some hair from Miss

Arabella Fermor’s head and the two families Arabella Fermor’s head and the two families had quarreled violently. Pope tried to end the had quarreled violently. Pope tried to end the quarrel by writing this “heroic” poem, descriquarrel by writing this “heroic” poem, describing the event in detail but only made the quabing the event in detail but only made the quarrel worse.rrel worse.

Belinda discovers her lock of hair has been cut.

William Blake

A return to thoughts about nature and more lyrical A return to thoughts about nature and more lyrical subjects began in the early eighteenth century.subjects began in the early eighteenth century.

A poet and an artist (p.77)A poet and an artist (p.77) His poetry revealed that he did not believe in the His poetry revealed that he did not believe in the

reality of matter, or in the power of earthly rulers, or reality of matter, or in the power of earthly rulers, or in punishment after deathin punishment after death

Songs of InnocenceSongs of Innocence (1787) (1787) Songs of ExperienceSongs of Experience (1794) (1794) ““The Tiger” (p. 79)The Tiger” (p. 79)

Robert Burns

A Scottish farmerA Scottish farmer A deep understanding of animals and love for themA deep understanding of animals and love for them

““My Love’s like a red, red rose” (p.79)My Love’s like a red, red rose” (p.79)

O MY Luve 's like a red, red roseO MY Luve 's like a red, red rose    That 's newly sprung in June:    That 's newly sprung in June:O my Luve 's like the melodieO my Luve 's like the melodie    That's sweetly play'd in tune! As fair art thou, my bonnie l    That's sweetly play'd in tune! As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,ass,    So deep in luve am I:    So deep in luve am I:And I will luve thee still, my dear,And I will luve thee still, my dear,    Till a' the seas gang dry:     Till a' the seas gang dry:

A Red, Red Rose

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,    And the rocks melt wi' the sun;    And the rocks melt wi' the sun;I will luve thee still, my dear,I will luve thee still, my dear,    While the sands o' life shall run.    While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

    And fare thee weel a while!    And fare thee weel a while!And I will come again, my Luve,And I will come again, my Luve,    Tho' it were ten thousand mile.    Tho' it were ten thousand mile.

Early 19th-Century Poets

A return to thoughts about nature and more lyrical A return to thoughts about nature and more lyrical subjects (p.91)subjects (p.91)

A simpler, more natural expression which we shall see in A simpler, more natural expression which we shall see in WordsworthWordsworth and and ColeridgeColeridge – the Lake Poets – the Lake Poets

Neither of them used the old language of poetry muchNeither of them used the old language of poetry much The publication of the The publication of the Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads (1798) signaled the (1798) signaled the

beginning of the Romantic Agebeginning of the Romantic Age

William Wordsworth

A poet of natureA poet of nature Had the ability to throw a charm over ordinary thingsHad the ability to throw a charm over ordinary things In later editions of the Lyrical Ballads (1800-2), he In later editions of the Lyrical Ballads (1800-2), he

said that the language of poetry ought to be the same said that the language of poetry ought to be the same as the language of a simple farm workeras the language of a simple farm worker

His imagination led him far beyond the life and His imagination led him far beyond the life and thoughts of a countrymanthoughts of a countryman

Wordsworth ““Lines Written above Tintern Abbey” – the poet returLines Written above Tintern Abbey” – the poet retur

ns to a scene of his boyhood (p.93)ns to a scene of his boyhood (p.93) ““Westminster Bridge,” an emotional view of London Westminster Bridge,” an emotional view of London

asleepasleep ““London,” a cry for help in the troubles of the worldLondon,” a cry for help in the troubles of the world ““The Daffodils, The Solitary Reaper,”The Daffodils, The Solitary Reaper,” ““Lucy” poemsLucy” poems ““The Ode on Intimations of Immortality” (1807)The Ode on Intimations of Immortality” (1807)1.1. found faith in memories of childhood, the business wfound faith in memories of childhood, the business w

orld has shut off the view of heaven (p.93-94)orld has shut off the view of heaven (p.93-94)2.2. expressed his belief that we come from another life anexpressed his belief that we come from another life an

d go to a life without endd go to a life without end

Wordsworth

The Prelude – a record in 14 books of verse of the – a record in 14 books of verse of the poet’s progress in poetry and thoughtpoet’s progress in poetry and thought

1.1. Written during 1799-1805Written during 1799-1805

2.2. Schooldays, time at Cambridge, visits to London Schooldays, time at Cambridge, visits to London and France, life in France during the Revolutionand France, life in France during the Revolution

Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge Makes mysterious events accepMakes mysterious events accep

table to a reader’s mindtable to a reader’s mind ““The Rime of the Ancient MariThe Rime of the Ancient Mari

ner,” appeared in the first editiner,” appeared in the first edition of the on of the Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads – an – an old sailor describes some stranold sailor describes some strange misfortunes that happened tge misfortunes that happened to his ship. At last, the mariner, o his ship. At last, the mariner, seeing God’s creatures in the mseeing God’s creatures in the moonlight, blesses them. This broonlight, blesses them. This breaks the curse and he is able to eaks the curse and he is able to return home. (p.91, 92)return home. (p.91, 92)

““Christable” (1816), “Kubla KChristable” (1816), “Kubla Khan” (1816) – p.93han” (1816) – p.93

So twice five miles of fertile So twice five miles of fertile groundgroundWith walls and towers were With walls and towers were girdled round;girdled round;And here were gardens brigAnd here were gardens bright with sinuous rills,ht with sinuous rills,Where blossomed many an iWhere blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;ncense-bearing tree;And here were forests ancieAnd here were forests ancient as the hills,nt as the hills,Enfolding sunny spots of grEnfolding sunny spots of greenery.eenery.

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge -Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834),(1772-1834),Kubla KhanKubla Khan

Kubla Khan

George Gordon, Lord Byron

Influenced by the classical form of Pope (p.94)Influenced by the classical form of Pope (p.94) Satirized many sides of English life, but his satires Satirized many sides of English life, but his satires

lack Pope’s polished perfection and command of lack Pope’s polished perfection and command of wordswords

Lacked Wordsworth’s poetic imagination nor Lacked Wordsworth’s poetic imagination nor Coleridge’s mystery, words mean what they say and Coleridge’s mystery, words mean what they say and have no further magichave no further magic

Lord Byron ““Childe Harold” (1809-17)Childe Harold” (1809-17)

1.1. Tells the story of a man (Lord Byran) Tells the story of a man (Lord Byran) who goes off to travel far because he iwho goes off to travel far because he is disgusted with life’s foolish pleasures disgusted with life’s foolish pleasuress

2.2. Describes different places he visits anDescribes different places he visits and what once happenedd what once happened

3.3. Excerpts – p.95Excerpts – p.95

““Don Juan” (1818-24)Don Juan” (1818-24)

1.1. Astonishing adventureAstonishing adventure

2.2. A satire which attacks some of Byron’A satire which attacks some of Byron’s enemiess enemies

3.3. Contains the poet’s ideas on various sContains the poet’s ideas on various subjectsubjects

Percy Bysshe Shelley Struggled against the causes of human misery and aStruggled against the causes of human misery and a

ccepted religions (p.97)ccepted religions (p.97) Saw goodness in natureSaw goodness in nature ““Alastar, or The Spirit of Solitude” (1816)Alastar, or The Spirit of Solitude” (1816)

1.1. Written in blank verse and shows Wordsworth’s inflWritten in blank verse and shows Wordsworth’s influenceuence

2.2. Expresses joy in the universe and sorrow for the violExpresses joy in the universe and sorrow for the violent feelings of menent feelings of men

Percy Shelley’s Famous Poems

““Prometheus Unbound” (1820) – deals with the humaPrometheus Unbound” (1820) – deals with the human struggle against the power of false godsn struggle against the power of false gods

““Adonais” (1821), an elegy on the death of KeatsAdonais” (1821), an elegy on the death of Keats ““Ozymandias,” expresses the uselessness and the shorOzymandias,” expresses the uselessness and the shor

tness of all earthly powertness of all earthly power ““The Cloud”The Cloud” ““To a Skylark”To a Skylark” ““Ode to the West Wind” (p.97)Ode to the West Wind” (p.97)

Ozymandias

I met a traveler from an antique land who said: I met a traveler from an antique land who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert... near them, on the sand, Stand in the desert... near them, on the sand, half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, tell that its sculptor well those passions read tell that its sculptor well those passions read which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, the hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed. the hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed.

And on the pedestal these words appear: And on the pedestal these words appear: "My name is Ozymandias, kimg of kings: "My name is Ozymandias, kimg of kings:

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, the lone and level sands stretch far away the lone and level sands stretch far away

John Keats and His Great Odes

Influenced by Spenser’s Influenced by Spenser’s Fairie QueeneFairie Queene (p.97) (p.97) Studied the nature and could write lines in WordswortStudied the nature and could write lines in Wordswort

h’s manner, but with more musich’s manner, but with more music ““Ode on a Grecian Urn” (1819) – p. 99Ode on a Grecian Urn” (1819) – p. 99 ““To a Nightingale”To a Nightingale” ““To Autumn”To Autumn” ““La Belle Dame Sans Merci” -- a knight dreams of hiLa Belle Dame Sans Merci” -- a knight dreams of hi

s lady, but wakes alone on a cold hillside. La Belle Ds lady, but wakes alone on a cold hillside. La Belle Dame is supposed to be tuberculosis, a disease which kiame is supposed to be tuberculosis, a disease which killed Keats at the early age of 26.lled Keats at the early age of 26.

John Keats and His Great Odes

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Rhythm and thought were needed in great work (p.101)Rhythm and thought were needed in great work (p.101) ““The Idylls of the King” (1859)-- Put Malory’s The Idylls of the King” (1859)-- Put Malory’s Morte D’Morte D’

ArthurArthur into blank verse into blank verse ““In Memoriam” (1833-50), an elegy for his friend HallaIn Memoriam” (1833-50), an elegy for his friend Halla

m, expressed the sorrow for the loss of a friend and chanm, expressed the sorrow for the loss of a friend and changes into an expression of a wider love of God and man (p.ges into an expression of a wider love of God and man (p.103)103)

Shorter Poems, “Ulysses” (1842), “The Princess” (1847 aShorter Poems, “Ulysses” (1842), “The Princess” (1847 and 1853)nd 1853)

Immense influence in his own time, reflected the changinImmense influence in his own time, reflected the changing ideas of his ageg ideas of his age

Robert and Elizabeth Browning

Robert Browning (p.104)Robert Browning (p.104)1.1. Intellect is more important than the musicIntellect is more important than the music2.2. Browning’s difficult style is the result of his unusual kBrowning’s difficult style is the result of his unusual k

nowledge of words and his bold ways of building sentnowledge of words and his bold ways of building sentences (p.106)ences (p.106)

3.3. Lived in Italy at Florence, a place which influenced thLived in Italy at Florence, a place which influenced the poete poet

4.4. ““Pauline” (1833), “Sordello” (1840), “My Last DuchePauline” (1833), “Sordello” (1840), “My Last Duchess” (1842)ss” (1842)

5.5. Dramatic LyricsDramatic Lyrics (1842) and (1842) and Dramatic RomancesDramatic Romances (184 (1845), 5), Dramatic PersonaeDramatic Personae (1864) (1864)

6. Sonnets from the Portuguese (1850) by Elizabeth Bro (1850) by Elizabeth Browningwning

Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold

Much of his work is sad because of the problems of his Much of his work is sad because of the problems of his time(p.107)time(p.107)

Greatly admired Wordsworth’s calmnessGreatly admired Wordsworth’s calmness ““Dover Beach” (1867)Dover Beach” (1867)Ah, love, let us be trueAh, love, let us be true

To one another! for the world, which seemsTo one another! for the world, which seemsTo lie before us like a land of dreams,To lie before us like a land of dreams,So various, so beautiful, so new,So various, so beautiful, so new,Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light,

Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain;And we are here as on a darkling plainAnd we are here as on a darkling plainSwept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight,Where ignorant armies clash by night. Where ignorant armies clash by night.

Dante Gabriel RossettiDante Gabriel Rossetti

A painter and a poet, “Fleshly School” of poetryA painter and a poet, “Fleshly School” of poetry Poetry ought to be based on the senses (p.109)Poetry ought to be based on the senses (p.109) Sonnets, the most musical in EnglishSonnets, the most musical in English Lines clear written by a man with a painter’s eyeLines clear written by a man with a painter’s eye Fond of alliterationFond of alliteration

Georgina RossettiGeorgina Rossetti

Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s sisterDante Gabriel Rossetti’s sister Wrote sad and religious poems and unhappy love, poems for tWrote sad and religious poems and unhappy love, poems for t

he younghe young The collections The collections Goblin MarketGoblin Market (1862) and (1862) and The Prince's ProgrThe Prince's Progr

essess (1866) contain most of her finest work. (1866) contain most of her finest work. Her best poetry is strong, personal, and unforced; her success Her best poetry is strong, personal, and unforced; her success

arises from her ability to unite the devotional and the passionaarises from her ability to unite the devotional and the passionate sides of her nature. te sides of her nature.

Her Her Sing-SongSing-Song (1872; enlarged 1893), a collection of nursery (1872; enlarged 1893), a collection of nursery rhymes, is among the most outstanding children's books of the rhymes, is among the most outstanding children's books of the 19th century. 19th century.

After the onset of a thyroid disorder in 1871, she wrote mainlAfter the onset of a thyroid disorder in 1871, she wrote mainly devotional verse. y devotional verse.