Milton and Wordsworth, Poets and Prophets
A Study of their Reactions to Political Events

Originally published in 1937, this book was formed from a series of lectures by renowned John Clifford Grierson on Milton and Wordsworth.

Herbert J. C. Grierson (Author)

9781107658523, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2013

196 pages
21.8 x 14 x 1.2 cm, 0.26 kg

Sir Herbert John Clifford Grierson (1866–1960) was a renowned Scottish literary critic and editor who specialised in Metaphysical and Romantic poetry. Originally published in 1937, this book was formed from the content of a series of lectures delivered at University College London during the spring of 1936. The main focus of the text is on the 'prophetic poetry' of Milton, with some discussion of Wordsworth's intuitional approach by way of contrast with Milton's process of 'conscious deduction from his experiences'. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in literary criticism and British poetry.

Preface
1. Prophetic poetry
the Hebrew prophets
2. John Milton and the Renaissance theory of poetry
a poem 'doctrinal to a nation'
the awakening
the 'reform of reformation'
3. The first shock
marriage and divorce
a pause in pamphleteering and return to poetry
the first decisive step
regicide
4. The dismissal of Parliament
Milton and Cromwell
5. The final return to poetry
Milton's early poems
Paradise Lost
its doctrine and its temper
the prophetic and the poetic in the poem
Milton's diction and verse
6. Paradise Regained
Milton's Christ
Samson Agonistes
Milton's final vindication of himself and those he followed in the great deeds of the rebellion
7. Wordsworth and the French Revolution
a contrast with Milton
References to quotations.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]