English Poetry in Context: From the 16th to the 21st Century

"English Poetry in Context" offers an accessible, comprehensive survey of the genre from the early modern period to the present day. Situating close readings of selected poems within their larger literary and historical contexts, it is an ideal starting point for students, teachers and other readers looking for a book that maps out the field of English poetry. Whether you are interested in a comprehensive overview or in in-depth case studies of your favourite poems, "English Poetry in Context" will cater for your demands. Proceeding chronologically and discussing both canonical and less canonical poets, "English Poetry in Context" provides concise surveys of the periods discussed, biographical information on individual poets, case studies of their poems as well as suggestions for further reading. The book invites readers to look closely at what the poetic text, both in form and content, reveals about the context in which it was written, and to make individual poems and their larger historical contexts reflect upon each other.