The Prelude to Poetry & the English Poets in Defence and Praise of Their Own Art

'The Prelude to Poetry & the English Poets in Defence and Praise of Their Own Art' is an essential anthology that brings together the most influential voices in English literature to discuss the nature, purpose, and beauty of poetic expression. This collection serves as a definitive survey of poetics, featuring seminal treatises, prefaces, and essays where poets themselves act as critics and champions of their craft.From Sir Philip Sidney’s foundational arguments to the visionary insights of Percy Bysshe Shelley and William Wordsworth, the volume traces the evolution of literary theory across several centuries. These writings provide an intimate look into the creative minds of the masters, offering profound reflections on the role of the poet in society and the transformative power of language. Readers will encounter passionate defenses of the imagination and technical explorations of meter and form, all written with the eloquence one expects from the finest practitioners of the English language.This work remains a cornerstone for students of literature and aspiring writers, offering timeless wisdom on the artistic process. By collecting these diverse perspectives into a single volume, 'The Prelude to Poetry' offers a comprehensive overview of how the English poetic tradition has defined and redefined itself through the ages.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.