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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... gives special praise to Shakespeare's " Art , " which as he says , " must enjoy a part " ( line 56 ) of his commendation : For though the poet's matter Nature be His Art doth give the fashion ; and that he Who casts to write a living ...
... give light and th'east perfume , If they should offer to contest With thy arising , they presume . Can there be any day but this , Though many suns to shine endeavor ? We count three hundred , but we miss : There is but one , and that ...
... give my scrap of life to you , And think it far beneath your due ; You , to whose care so oft I owe , That I'm alive to tell you so . ( 79-88 ) Swift says that he owes his life to her care for him and that he would gladly give up his ...
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 |