The Pleasure of Poetry: Reading and Enjoying British Poetry from Donne to BurnsThe poetry produced by the British poets of the 17th and 18th centuries is considered to be among the best ever written. But many general readers feel intimidated by the language or structure of the poetry, and so tend to shy away from enjoying these poets and their works. Nelson takes readers on a tour of the major works and figures of 17th- and 18th-century British poetry, explaining major themes, devices, styles, language, rhythm, sound, tone, imagery, form, and meaning. Beginning each chapter with a sketch of the poet's life and career, the author then looks at five or six representative works, helping readers understand and appreciate the beauty of poetry itself. |
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... alliteration and con- sonance of the m sound and the assonance of the long i in the first line , the continuing alliteration of ms and ss , and the assonance of the oo sound in the later lines . This passage is a melodious feast meant ...
... alliteration and repetition , as in lines 213-215 . Nor does he invert the normal syntax very much or employ a learned diction , keeping for the most part to common English . Goldsmith even salutes the old , but neat tavern of the ...
... alliteration , repetition , and variations in the rhythm . One example of the latter occurs in line 19 , where the poet puts a strong pause after the sailor's shout , to suggest the silence in response to his des- perate call for help ...
Contents
Introduction to Reading Poetry | 1 |
Poet of Secular and Sacred Love | 19 |
Elegist Satirist and Moralist | 37 |
Copyright | |
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The Pleasure of Poetry: Reading and Enjoying British Poetry from Donne to Burns Nicolas H. Nelson No preview available - 2006 |