Alexander Pope Poems

Pope's The Rape of the Lock and The Dunciad are his best-known works, which are distinguished by wit, irony, dazzling technical mastery, acute social observation, and insight into human nature. This collection includes graceful and witty lyrics, verse letters to friends, devotional poems, and important discursive poems on literary and political themes, with illustrations by William Kent from the first edition of The Dunciad.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 07 June 2018
\n Publisher: Everyman
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Pope, a young man, gained fame with his light-hearted mock-heroic poem "The Rape of the Lock," which remains his most celebrated work. His verse showcased a remarkable blend of wit, irony, dazzling technical mastery, acute social observation, and profound insight into human nature. With his mastery of the English heroic couplet, Pope perfected a form that would become a hallmark of his poetry. His ability to capture the essence of society and human behavior with wit and irony earned him widespread admiration and recognition.

One of the most quoted poets in English literature, Pope's words continue to resonate with readers. His famous lines, such as "For Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread," "A little learning is a dangerous thing," "To err is human, to forgive, divine," and "All originate from his pen," have become part of our cultural lexicon. While his poetry may have experienced some neglect in recent decades, Professor Claude Rawson's selection in this anthology provides compelling evidence for its revival.

Pope's ambition was to elevate satire to a serious and dignified form, and his culminating work, "The Dunciad," achieved just that. While it may initially appear to be a satirical mockery of culture, it transcends its surface level to offer an elevated and ironic reflection on society. This masterpiece created a new genre that would eventually lead to the modern masterpiece of T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land."

Pope was a precocious talent and eager to showcase his abilities. He adopted various poetic forms, including graceful and witty lyrics, verse letters to friends in the Horatian mode, devotional poems, and important discursive poems on literary and political themes. His works, such as "An Essay on Criticism," "Windsor-Forest," and "An Essay on Man," showcased his intellectual prowess and his ability to address important social and philosophical issues.

This edition of Pope's Poetical Works uses the text of the Oxford Standard Authors edition by Herbert Davis of Popes's Poetical Works, 1966. The selection includes complete poems rather than excerpts, allowing readers to fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of Pope's verse. The beautifully typeset text is enhanced by illustrations by William Kent from the first edition of "Th."

In conclusion, Pope's poetry is a testament to his remarkable talent and his profound contribution to English literature. His wit, irony, technical mastery, social observation, and insight into human nature have made his works timeless and continue to inspire readers to this day. Professor Rawson's selection in this anthology provides a compelling argument for the revival of Pope's poetry and its rightful place in the canon of English literature.

\n Weight: 240g\n
Dimension: 165 x 113 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781841598154\n \n