Subject Area: English

Studies English poetry by major Neo-classical, Romantic, and post-Romantic poets. Observes shift in poetic themes from socio-political conditions to nature, the self, and romance. Analyses poetic forms and their relationship to developments in poetic theory. Considers some of the major statements about the nature and function of poetry written during all three periods. Acknowledges ancient Greek and Roman precedents of English poetry and poetics. Attends to how earlier poets, such as Milton, influence later poets, such as Pope and the major Romantics, and how such influence affects the development of a national poetic tradition.