Spenser and Donne: Thinking Poets

This collection of essays challenges the dichotomous view of Edmund Spenser and John Donne in English poetry, highlighting their common preoccupations and continuities of thought in the politically and intellectually turbulent turn of the century. Juxtaposing these two poets changes our understanding of each poet individually and moves towards a more holistic view of their poetics.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 248 pages
\n Publication date: 24 August 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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The names Edmund Spenser and John Donne are often linked to distinct periods in English poetry, with Spenser associated with the sixteenth century and the Elizabethan Golden Age, while Donne is linked with the 'metaphysical poets' of the seventeenth century. This collection of essays, part of The Manchester Spenser series, aims to challenge this dichotomous perception and engage critically with both poets, not only in terms of direct allusion, imitation, or parody, but also in terms of common preoccupations and continuities of thought, informed by the literary and historical contexts of the politically and intellectually turbulent turn of the century. By juxtaposing these two poets, who may appear vastly different, the collection seeks to compare them rather than contrast them, thereby altering our understanding of each poet individually and moving towards a more holistic and relational view of their poetics.

Edmund Spenser and John Donne, two prominent figures in English poetry, are often associated with different eras, with Spenser being linked to the sixteenth century and the Elizabethan Golden Age, while Donne is associated with the 'metaphysical poets' of the seventeenth century. However, this collection of essays, part of The Manchester Spenser series, challenges this dichotomous view and seeks to engage critically with both poets, exploring their allusions, imitations, and parodies, as well as their shared preoccupations and continuities of thought within the context of the politically and intellectually turbulent turn of the century. By juxtaposing these two poets, who may appear vastly different, the collection aims to compare them rather than contrast them, thereby altering our understanding of each poet individually and moving towards a more holistic and relational view of their poetics.

In English poetry, the names Edmund Spenser and John Donne are frequently linked to distinct periods, with Spenser associated with the sixteenth century and the Elizabethan Golden Age, while Donne is linked with the 'metaphysical poets' of the seventeenth century. This collection of essays, part of The Manchester Spenser series, aims to challenge this dichotomous perception and engage critically with both poets, not only in terms of direct allusion, imitation, or parody, but also in terms of common preoccupations and continuities of thought, informed by the literary and historical contexts of the politically and intellectually turbulent turn of the century. By juxtaposing these two poets, who may appear vastly different, the collection seeks to compare them rather than contrast them, thereby altering our understanding of each poet individually and moving towards a more holistic and relational view of their poetics.

\n Weight: 404g\n
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526117373\n \n