Cultivating Peace: The Virgilian Georgic in English, 1650-1750

British poets of the decades following the English civil wars turned to Virgil's Georgics for insight into political instability. The poem expresses ambivalence about war, political power, and empire, which were valuable to poets such as Andrew Marvell, John Dryden, and Anne Finch in responding to their own time. The poets discussed in Cultivating Peace imagine states of peace and war to be fundamentally and materially linked, proposing that peace must be sustained by constant labor.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 160 pages
\n Publication date: 30 March 2019
\n Publisher: Rutgers University Press
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In the years that followed the English civil wars, British poets sought solace in Virgil's Georgics, an ancient poem that delved into profound ambivalences about war, political power, and empire. Poets such as Andrew Marvell, John Dryden, and Anne Finch found resonance in these attitudes, using them as valuable means to navigate the uncertainties of their own time. Composed during a period of intense conflict in Rome, Virgil's agricultural poem cautions against the allure of easy stability, urging readers to recognize that lasting peace must be cultivated, nurtured, harvested, and replanted, year after year. Like the ancient poet who famously transformed a farmer's scythe into a sword, the poets discussed in Cultivating Peace envision states of peace and war as intricately interconnected. Through distinct approaches, they challenge the notion of a renewed golden age and propose instead that peace must be sustained through relentless effort.
This book, published by Bucknell University Press and distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press, offers insightful perspectives on the role of poetry in cultivating peace. The authors explore how poets have used their craft to challenge dominant narratives, promote empathy, and advocate for social justice. They also examine the historical and cultural contexts that shape poetic expressions of peace and conflict, highlighting the ways in which poetry can inspire and empower individuals and communities to work towards a more peaceful world.
In conclusion, Virgil's Georgics and the poets discussed in Cultivating Peace serve as powerful reminders of the complex and interconnected nature of peace and war. Through their words, these poets offer valuable insights and perspectives that can help us navigate the challenges of our own time and work towards a more peaceful and just world.

\n Weight: 280g\n
Dimension: 233 x 152 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781684480470\n \n