Un certo Lord Petre ebbe l’ardire di tagliare surrettiziamente un ricciolo di Lady Arabella Fermor, e il gelo calò fra le due famiglie. Un giovane e già celebre poeta ricevette l’incarico di scrivere un testo per rasserenare gli animi. L’artista interpellato era il beffardo e geniale Alexander Pope, «piccolo usignolo» della Chiesa cattolica nell’Inghilterra settecentesca. Pope compose un poemetto che, per inventiva e passionalità, tocca punte di epicità omerica, mentre lavorava a una memorabile traduzione dell’Iliade. La sua è una guerra in miniatura, incentrata sull’eterna guerra dei sessi, dove l’infinitesimale giganteggia, come notato da Peter Ackroyd. Il ratto del ricciolo riscosse un immediato successo di pubblico e suscitò reazioni infuriate nella buona società. Pope, però, non era tipo da subire passivamente le critiche. Per ribattere, scrisse un commento che funge da chiave di lettura della sua opera e satira di ogni pretesa interpretativa. Utilizzando argomenti «coerenti e inconfutabili», stigmatizzò la fobia papista che avvelenava il clima inglese, fustigò pedanti e petulanti, e inventò una nuova forma di autopromozione.
Alexander Pope Libri
Alexander Pope è generalmente considerato il più grande poeta inglese del XVIII secolo, celebrato per la sua tagliente poesia satirica e la sua influente traduzione di Omero. Si posiziona come il terzo scrittore più citato nella lingua inglese, una testimonianza del suo duraturo impatto. La maestria di Pope nel distico eroico gli permise di creare versi di eleganza e precisione ineguagliabili.







La bellissima Elena è stata rapita da Paride e portata a Troia. Menelao, marito di lei, unitosi a re e principi greci, dichiara guerra ai Troiani per riaverla. È questa la storia raccontata nell'Iliade: una guerra lunga dieci anni, appassionante, ambientata in un mondo vecchio di secoli e secoli, ma i cui valori - corne I'amicizia e l'onore, l'amore e il rispetto reciproco - perdurano nel tempo. Ci appassioneremo aile vicende di re e comandanti, seguiremo le imprese di uomini forti e coraggiosi e assisteremo ai capricci di dei volubili e potenti. Completano il testo attività varie e un breve dossier sul mondo greco che guida a una più approfondita comprensione dell'opera.
The works of Alexander Pope
- 432pagine
- 16 ore di lettura
In One Volume Complete. This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.
Robert Fagles's stunning modern-verse translation-available at last in our black-spine classics line A Penguin Classic The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of everyman's journey through life. In the myths and legends that are retold here, renowned translator Robert Fagles has captured the energy and poetry of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom and given us an Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery. This is an Odyssey to delight both the classicist and the general reader, and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
The Illiad Of Homer
- 1002pagine
- 36 ore di lettura
Alexander Pope's interpretation of the Homeric poem, published between 1715 and 1720, is celebrated for its lyrical beauty and cultural impact, influencing British and American literature for centuries. Samuel Johnson praised it as unparalleled in literary achievement. This edition offers a faithful rendering of Pope's verse, capturing the essence of Homer's work. Additionally, it includes a new biography of Pope, enhancing the reader's understanding of the poet's significance. This modern edition aims to make this classic text accessible to a wider audience.
First published with revisions as an Oxford World's Classics paperback: 2006.
Essay on Man and Other Poems
- 99pagine
- 4 ore di lettura
Considered the preeminent verse satirist in English, Alexander Pope (1688-1744) brought wide learning, devastating wit and masterly technique to his poems. Models of clarity and control, they exemplified the classical poetics of the Augustan age.This volume contains a rich selection of Pope's work, including such well-known poems as the title selection — a philosophical meditation on the nature of the universe and man's place in it — and "The Rape of the Lock," a mock-epic of rare charm and skill. Also included are "Ode on Solitude," "The Dying Christian to His Soul," "Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady," "An Essay on Criticism," "Epigram Engraved on the Collar of a Dog," "Epistle [IV] to Richard Boyle, Earl of Of the Use of Riches," "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot; or, Prologue to the Satires" and more.Taken together, these poems offer an excellent sampling of Pope's imaginative genius and the felicitous blending of word, idea and image that earned him a place among the leading lights of 18th-century literature.
An Essay on Criticism
- 24pagine
- 1 ora di lettura
An Essay on Criticism is one of the first major poems written by the English writer Alexander Pope (1688-1744), published in 1711. It is the source of the famous quotations "To err is human; to forgive, divine", "A little learning is a dang'rous thing" (frequently misquoted as "A little knowledge is a dang'rous thing"), and "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"
The Rape of the Lock and A Key to the Lock
- 128pagine
- 5 ore di lettura
When Lord Petre had the effrontery of cutting off a lock of Lady Arabella Fermor's hair, a veritable war erupted between the two noble families. A mutual friend, saddened by their estrangement, asked Alexander Pope, then a young poet, to write a poem about it, in order to make a joke of it and “laugh them together again”. But the result – which in its ingenuity and poetical brilliance reaches peaks of epic sublime – concealed darker and more dangerous undertones that unleashed an even greater storm between the parties involved – and among the whole literary world of the time. As Belinda glides along the Thames admired for her beauty and the crafty Baron schemes to take his prize, a host of supernatural beings – elfs, sylphs, gnomes – dance around them to avoid the impending doom, in what is Pope's crowning poetical achievement and perhaps the greatest satirical poem ever written. Included in this volume are the original two-canto version of The Rape of the Lock and Pope's hilarious mock-interpretation of the poem as a seditious work, A Key to the Lock.
The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems
- 186pagine
- 7 ore di lettura
Set in a satirical world, this mock-heroic narrative poem by Alexander Pope explores themes of vanity and social status through the trivial incident of a stolen lock of hair. Initially published anonymously, it gained immense popularity, leading to revised editions and illustrations. The poem's structure evolves from two cantos to five, culminating in a version that includes a significant speech by Clarissa. Its witty critique of high society and its influence on European literature highlight the enduring appeal of mock-heroic poetry.
Set against a backdrop of English aristocracy, this poem explores the absurdity of social norms through the lens of a trivial yet grave offense: the theft of a lock of hair. By elevating this minor incident to cosmic significance, it satirizes the values and behaviors of the upper class, highlighting the clash between the mundane and the divine. Pope's work cleverly critiques societal priorities while weaving together themes of honor, vanity, and the consequences of human folly.
Homer's Iliad
- 484pagine
- 17 ore di lettura
The translation of the ancient epic vividly portrays the legendary Trojan War, focusing on the intense drama and heroism of characters such as Achilles, Hector, and Agamemnon. Through the use of heroic couplets, the work explores themes of fate, honor, and divine intervention. Alexander Pope’s elegant language not only captures the emotional depth of the story but also provides a rhythmic structure that amplifies the poem's epic nature, making it a significant literary achievement from 1715 to 1720.
Exploring the intricate relationship between authors and readers, this book delves into the motivations behind writing and the expectations of those who consume literature. It examines how personal experiences shape storytelling and the impact of narratives on readers' lives. Through insightful analysis and engaging anecdotes, it invites reflection on the transformative power of books and the shared journey between creators and their audience.
Alexander Pope's Poetical Works Vol. I
- 340pagine
- 12 ore di lettura
The volume showcases Alexander Pope's early and influential writings, prominently featuring "Pastorals," which reflect the pastoral tradition by celebrating the simplicity and beauty of rural life. This collection highlights Pope's development as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of nature and idyllic living through his lyrical style.
An Essay on Man, The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems
- 246pagine
- 9 ore di lettura
Focusing on the neoclassical ideals of the eighteenth century, this collection showcases the works of Alexander Pope, a master of poetic satire and the English heroic couplet. It features notable pieces like "The Rape of The Lock," which humorously critiques epic poetry, and "An Essay on Man," which explores the relationship between humanity and divinity. Additionally, "The Dunciad" satirizes literary mediocrity through the personification of Dullness. With over forty poems, this edition highlights Pope's enduring influence on English literature.
Highlighting the brilliance of an Augustan Age poet, this collection features diverse poetic forms, including satire and philosophical reflections. Notable works like "The Rape of the Lock" offer a mock-heroic take on high society's trivialities, while "The Dunciad" delivers a sharp critique of intellectual mediocrity. This treasury showcases Pope's exceptional talent and wit, making it a significant contribution to English literature.
The book is a reprint of a classic work first published in 1856, preserving the original text and context. It offers readers a glimpse into the themes and societal issues of its time, reflecting the historical landscape and cultural nuances of the 19th century. This edition aims to provide both nostalgia for those familiar with the text and an opportunity for new readers to explore its significance.
Highlighting the brilliance of Alexander Pope, this collection features a diverse range of poetic forms that reflect the essence of the Augustan Age. Notable works include "The Rape of the Lock," which uses mock-heroic elements to satirize high society's trivialities, and "The Dunciad," a sharp critique of intellectual mediocrity. This treasury celebrates Pope's mastery in blending satire with profound philosophical insights, making it a significant contribution to English literature.
Focused on accessibility, this publication is a reproduction of a historical work presented in large print, catering specifically to individuals with impaired vision. The Megali publishing house is dedicated to making literature more accessible through such reproductions, ensuring that important texts are available to a wider audience.
This book is a reproduction of a historical work published by Megali, a company dedicated to making literature accessible for individuals with impaired vision through large print editions. The focus on accessibility highlights the importance of preserving and sharing historical texts while ensuring they can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope - Volume I (Esprios Classics)
- 350pagine
- 13 ore di lettura
Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 - 30 May 1744) is regarded as one of the greatest English poets, and the foremost poet of the early eighteenth century. He is best known for his satirical and discursive poetry, including The Rape of the Lock, The Dunciad, and An Essay on Criticism, as well as for his translation of Homer. After Shakespeare, Pope is the second-most quoted writer in the English language, as per The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, some of his verses having even become popular idioms in common parlance. He is considered a master of the heroic couplet. Pope's poetic career testifies to his indomitable spirit in the face of disadvantages, of health and of circumstance.





