Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry (1700) and the Essay on Heroic Poetry (second edition, 1697)

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wesley, Samuel, 1662-1735

Contributor:

Hooker, Edward Niles, -1957

Series:

Augustan Reprint Society, publication number 05

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Epistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry" by Samuel Wesley is an early 18th-century poetic treatise. The work serves as an earnest exploration of the principles of poetry, particularly focusing on the relationship between creativity, virtue, and the expectations of society. It represents Wesley's commitment to the intersection of art and morality, addressing themes of religious faith and the role of the poet in society. The opening of this work presents a preface that outlines Wesley's intentions and motivations for writing. He expresses a desire to engage with the current literary trends while emphasizing the importance of religion and virtue in poetry. Wesley addresses the reader directly, revealing a style that balances poetic expression with philosophical inquiry. He begins to unpack the concept of "Genius," describing it as the divine inspiration necessary for true poetic creation. Through this exploration, Wesley lays the groundwork for a discussion on the qualities that define effective poetry, the role of judgment, and the expectations of poets, inviting readers into a contemplative dialogue about the nature of poetic practice and its impact on society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

An epistle to a friend concerning poetry

The preface [to the life of our Blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. An heroic poem: dedicated to Her Most Sacred Majesty. In Ten Books.], Being an Essay on Heroic Poetry.

Credits:

E-text prepared by David Starner, Charles M. Bidwell, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 51.9 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2005-08-10