Poetic Theory and Practice in Early Modern Verse: Unwritten Arts

This book explores the intersections between poetry, poetics, and other discourses in early modern England, unearthing notions that remained largely unwritten in official literary criticism. It rereads canonical poems and poets alongside less frequented authors and texts, bringing together a transnational team of scholars on early modern English literature. The essays focus on questions of poetry's origins and style, exploring individual responses to issues of authenticity, career design, difficulty, or inspiration.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The essays in this volume delve into the intricate intersections between poetry, poetics, and various discourses such as logic, rhetoric, natural philosophy, medicine, mythography, or religion. By examining these intersections, the essays uncover notions that remained largely unwritten in the official literary criticism of the early modern period. With a focus on questions of poetry's origins and style, as well as exploring individual responses to issues of authenticity, career design, difficulty, or inspiration, this collection revisits and revitalizes the critical lexicons that connect poetic theory and practice in early modern English texts and their European contexts. By reading canonical poets and critics such as Sidney, Spenser, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Puttenham, Dryden, alongside less studied figures such as Henry Constable, Barnabe Barnes, Thomas Lodge, Aemilia Lanyer, Fulke Greville, or George Chapman, this book expands the horizons for a dialogue between literary practice and the Renaissance theories from which they stemmed and which they helped to outgrow.

Introduction:
In the early modern period, England witnessed a vibrant literary scene characterized by the flourishing of poetry. This period saw the emergence of new poetic theories and practices that sought to redefine the art of poetry and its relationship to other intellectual disciplines. This volume aims to explore these new perspectives on early modern poetic theory and practice, shedding light on key lexicons and notions of Renaissance poetics in early modern English poems. By rereading canonical poems and poets alongside less frequented authors and texts, this book seeks to broaden our understanding of early modern poetic texts in the larger intellectual contexts of Britain and Europe.
Theories and Practices of Poetry in Early Modern England:
The essays in this volume examine the interplay between poetic theories and practices in early modern England. They explore the ways in which ideas about the poet's art surfaced in early modern texts, and how these ideas were shaped by the broader intellectual currents of the time. The authors analyze the influence of logic, rhetoric, natural philosophy, medicine, mythography, or religion on the development of poetic theory and practice, and how these influences were expressed in the works of individual poets.
New Perspectives on Early Modern Poetic Theory and Practice:
The essays in this volume offer fresh perspectives on early modern poetic theory and practice. They unearth key lexicons and notions of Renaissance poetics that have been overlooked or underappreciated in previous scholarship. By rereading canonical poems and poets alongside less frequented authors and texts, the authors demonstrate how these lesser-known figures contributed to the development of early modern poetic discourse.
Unearthing Key Lexicons and Notions of Renaissance Poetics:
One of the key themes of this volume is the exploration of key lexicons and notions of Renaissance poetics in early modern English poems. The authors analyze the use of metaphor, imagery, symbolism, and other poetic devices to convey meaning and evoke emotion in these works. They also examine the ways in which these devices were influenced by the broader intellectual currents of the time, such as the scientific revolution, the rise of humanism, and the exploration of new worlds.
Rereading Canonical Poems and Poets Alongside Less Frequented Authors and Texts:
In order to broaden our understanding of early modern poetic texts, the essays in this volume reread canonical poems and poets alongside less frequented authors and texts. By doing so, the authors demonstrate how these canonical works were influenced by the broader intellectual currents of the time, and how they responded to the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing social and political landscape.
Reading Early Modern Poetic Texts in the Larger Intellectual Contexts of Britain and Europe:
The essays in this volume also place early modern poetic texts in the larger intellectual contexts of Britain and Europe. They explore the ways in which early modern poetic discourse was shaped by the broader intellectual movements of the time, such as the Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the Age of Enlightenment. The authors demonstrate how early modern poets responded to these movements and how their works contributed to the development of new ideas and ideologies.
Bringing Together a Transnational Team of Scholars on Early Modern English Literature:
The essays in this volume bring together a transnational team of scholars on early modern English literature. The authors represent a diverse range of academic backgrounds and expertise, and their contributions to this volume reflect the rich diversity of perspectives on early modern English literature. By bringing together a diverse team of scholars, this volume aims to foster a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of early modern poetic discourse.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the essays in this volume offer a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the intersections between poetry, poetics, and other discourses in early modern England. By rereading canonical poems and poets alongside less frequented authors and texts, the authors demonstrate how these works contributed to the development of new ideas and ideologies, and how they shaped the broader intellectual currents of the time. This volume is a valuable resource for scholars and students of early modern English literature, and it will continue to inspire new research and scholarship in the field.

Weight: 668g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399507820