Romantic Epics and the Mission of Empire

The British Romantic period saw an explosion in epic poems, which were used to address the unique historical tensions of the era. This book examines the impact of missionary work on epic literature and offers sustained analysis of both under-read and canonical works, bringing fresh historical and literary contexts to bear on our understanding of this unique revival.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The British Romantic period witnessed an extraordinary surge in epic poetry, a lesser-explored literary phenomenon that provided writers with a unique platform to address the distinctive historical tensions of the era. Traditionally linked to empire, the epic genre experienced a revival during a period of British expansionism and the gradual transformation of imperialism into a benevolent endeavor aimed at spreading British culture and religion across the world. In his insightful analysis, Matthew Leporati contends that the epic revival not only reflects but also critically interrogates this evangelical shift. This groundbreaking book is the first to explore the profound impact of missionary work on epic literature, offering a comprehensive and nuanced examination of both under-appreciated and canonical works. By providing fresh historical and literary perspectives, Leporati sheds new light on our understanding of this remarkable revival of epic poetry. This title is proudly part of the Flip it Open Programme, and it may also be accessible through Open Access on our website, Cambridge Core. For further details, please visit our website.

ISBN-13: 9781009285186