List of Famous Poems Vs Poets in English | Literature
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The history of English poetry stretches from the middle of the 7th century to the present day. Over this period, English poets have written some of the most enduring poems in European culture, and the language and its poetry have spread around the globe. Consequently, the term English poetry is unavoidably ambiguous.
The Famous English Poets
1. Shakespeare
Shakespeare is a poet and playwright who lived from 1564-1616 AD. His works have been translated into many languages and read globally. He wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two narrative poems, and several other poems and short stories. His best known work is probably Romeo and Juliet. His style was marked by its simplicity and directness, his plots were often based on ancient myths and legends, and he emphasized the idea of fate over free will.
MiltonMilton was born in 1608 in London, England. He is famous for writing Paradise Lost. Paradise Lost is a long poem written in epic style, covering biblical themes of sin, redemption, salvation, and judgment.
WordsworthWordsworth is a British Romantic poet and writer. In 1798, he published Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poetry in which he attempted to revive English lyric poetry. Wordsworth's early poems, written in the Lake District, are considered to be precursors of romanticism. His later poems are characterized by their focus on nature and the use of simple language.
ShelleyShelley was an Irish poet whose parents were Catholic Jacobins. His father William Godwin died shortly after Shelley was born, and his mother Mary Wollstonecraft died while her daughter was only five years old. At age 11, Shelley lost his mother, who died under mysterious circumstances; at 12, she left him an inheritance that enabled him to study medicine. However, soon afterwards, his family decided to move to Bath in order to avoid persecution by the authorities who were concerned about the political views of Godwin. While in Bath, Mary Shelley met Percy Bysshe Shelley, an aspiring poet, and they married in 1815.
When the Shelleys moved back to London, Percy Byron became involved with Lord Byron, whom he had previously admired and befriended. After four months of separation in 1816, Percy Shelley drowned himself, leaving Mary pregnant and alone. She gave birth to Percy Florence in 1817, who would die three days later. Mary herself went mad. As a result, Mary Shelley never recovered emotionally. Her husband Lord Byron was said to have fathered Allegra.
KeatsKeats was an English poet and physician. He was an associate of Coleridge and Leigh Hunt, and belonged to the group of poets called the Romantics. He died aged 25 from tuberculosis.
BlakeBlake was an English painter, poet, and engraver. He was associated with the Pre-Raphaelites and the Aesthetic Movement. Blake believed that art should be accessible to everyone regardless of social status.
The Famous English Poems
"The Odyssey" (Homer)This epic poem written by Homer was composed after the Trojan War and before the Iliad. The story follows Odysseus' journey home and contains many themes about Greek mythology, including divine intervention in human affairs. The tale takes place over ten days and involves many different characters; these include gods, goddesses, kings, cannibals, and humans. The plot revolves around Odysseus' quest to return his family back to Ithaca, which he left behind years ago. This work is a major influence on Western literature and includes elements of romanticism, realism, and satire. Most importantly, the poem displays Greek values during its time period. A central character in the work is the titular hero, Odysseus, who spends much of the story traveling and experiencing adventures while searching for his home. He encounters many obstacles along the way, some of which involve monsters and giants. One significant obstacle he faces is Circe's enchanted cattle. She turns them into swine, and then uses their meat to make him drunk. Another obstacle is Scylla, a monstrous sea creature capable of eating six people at once. Other notable events include Telemachus, a son of Odysseus, being sent to Sparta to find out what happened to him, and Athena helping Odysseus escape from Troy. While Odysseus stays away from home, his wife Penelope waits faithfully for his return. In the end, Odysseus returns home safely, just as he set off to do in the first place.
Don Quixote de la Mancha (Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra)Written between 1605 and 1615, Don Quixote de La Mancha tells the story of the famous knight-errant, Alonso Quijano de la Mancha, also known as Don Quixote. He is described as a man with great courage, confidence, chivalry, and generosity. In the story he decides to fight a number of adversaries, including windmills, giants, knights, dragons, bandits, and the evil Duke of Lerma. His adventures take him throughout Spain, especially the provinces of Valencia and Zaragoza. At times he meets real heroes, such as the Knight of the White Moon, Sancho Panza, and Dulcinea del Toboso, a beautiful woman whom he pursues throughout the book. The novel ends on a melancholy note when Don Quixote realizes that he has been wronged by Dulcinea and she rejects his request for eternal love. However, she has not rejected his nobility and faithfulness, and her final words are, “You have loved me out of kindness alone; you may leave now without further ado”.
Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are two families that live in Verona, Italy, where they own land and vineyards. Romeo falls deeply in love with the daughter of the town's best friend, Mercutio. After hearing a rumor of Mercutio having fallen in love with Juliet and plans to marry her, Romeo attempts to kill himself, but fails. Afterwards, he travels to Paris to win Juliet,
"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)This poem was written in Middle English in the late 13th century. It was first published in 1475. In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer tells his story to four different pilgrims who travel together (and separately) around England. These pilgrims discuss their experiences and share tales of their travels. A number of the poems are based on popular stories from medieval times. Two of the most well known were "The Wife of Bath's Prologue" and "The Miller's Tale."
"Paradise Lost" by John Milton (1608-1674)This epic poem tells the story of Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden and Satan's rebellion against God. It is often considered the greatest work of Christian poetry. There are many versions of this poem, including both blank verse and rhyme. One version is called Paradise Regained, and begins with these words:
No sooner was our flesh enjoy'd, than we behind remember, That once it suffered pain, imprison'd under darkness; And the first fruit of that forbidden tree, The serpent tasted, who soon after begat Cain, Able only by robbery to purchase food, and live on herbs...
"Othello" by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)Othello is one of the great tragedies of Western culture. Othello is a Moorish general in Venice who falls deeply in love with Desdemona - a Venetian noblewoman. After Desdemona rejects him, he kills her out of jealousy. He then takes revenge on the entire Iago family.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare ( 1564- 1616 )A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows several young lovers who meet at a festival near Athens. When they go to bed, Puck tricks them into believing that they have been turned into various animals. As a result, the couples fall in love with each other and start behaving wildly.
"The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare wrote five plays set in Venice, including The Merchant of Venice.)The merchant Antonio becomes close friends with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Shylock asks Antonio to lend him three hundred pounds for three months so that he may pay off a debt. Instead, Antonio demands that Shylock convert to Christianity, and if he does not, Antonio will cut off Shylock's nose and ears. Shylock agrees to the deal. However, before Shylock performs the conversion ceremony, he reveals that he would rather lose his daughter than his own nose. Fearing that Antonio might do something cruel to his daughter, Shylock refuses to make the conversion ceremony. Antonio eventually forgives Shylock, and the two men become friends again.
"Hamlet" by William Shakespeare (written between 1600 and 1601)In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet, the son of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude, finds himself in Denmark to take over the throne. While he waits for his older brother to die, he spends much time brooding about his mother and father. His uncle Claudius wishes to kill him, thinking that he has slept with his wife. Polonius is Claudius' chief advisor, and Claudius sends Polonius to watch over Hamlet.
Check out these poems too.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare
"The Complete Works of Homer" by Homer
"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer
"Paradise Lost" by John Milton
"Beowulf" by Seamus Heaney
"As I Lay Dying" by Tennessee Williams
"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
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