Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is regarded as the most important poet of the early eighteenth century. An invalid from infancy Pope devoted his energies towards literature & achieved remarkable success with his first published work at the age of 21. A succession of brilliant poems followed including An Essay on Criticism (1711) Windsor Forest (1713) & his masterpiece The Rape of the Lock (1712). A second period of great poetry was begun in 1728 with the appearance of the first Dunciad. All these works which exhibit Popes astonishing human insight his wide sympathies & powers of social observation (displayed to greatest effect in his talent for satire) feature in this selection. In his introduction
- an eloquent defence of Popes poetic practice
- Pat Rogers argues that we must abandon our Romantic conception of poetry as a record of fleeting & subjective states if we are to understand Pope fully. Instead we must see him as an accomplished practitioner of the poetry of ideas & of satirical reflection on human society. This collection is chosen from the Oxford Authors critical edition of Popes major works. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford Worlds Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxfords commitment to scholarship providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features including expert introductions by leading authorities helpful notes to clarify the text up-to-date bibliographies for further study & much more.