The Golden Treasury of the Best Songs and Lyrical Poems in the English Language
Part of the Oxford Standard Authors series
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Author Description
First published in 1861, this anthology remains one of the most famous and influential collections of English poetry ever compiled. Francis T. Palgrave's selection of lyrical poems, ranging from the Elizabethan era to the mid-nineteenth century, established a standard for poetic excellence that shaped the literary tastes of generations of readers. This edition, part of the Oxford Standard Authors series, provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of the English lyric.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This collection investigates the evolution and aesthetic standards of English lyrical poetry from the Elizabethan era through the mid-nineteenth century. Francis T. Palgrave, a critic and poet, curated this selection based on his personal criteria for 'purity' and 'lyrical excellence.' The work serves as a foundational framework for defining the canon of English verse, prioritizing emotional resonance and formal precision over historical comprehensiveness.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological selection of English lyrical poems spanning three centuries.
- Editorial commentary on the selection criteria for lyrical quality.
- Categorization of poems by thematic and formal characteristics.
Scope Limits
- The collection excludes non-lyrical forms such as epic, dramatic, or narrative poetry.
- The selection reflects the specific Victorian-era biases and literary tastes of the editor.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and critics recognize this anthology as a seminal text that significantly influenced the canonization of English poetry for over a century. Readers frequently note the historical importance of the collection while acknowledging that its contents are limited by the editor's subjective preferences.
Page Count:
638
Publication Date:
1964-12-31
ISBN-10:
0192541560
ISBN-13:
9780192541567
Poetry
Classic Literature
English literature
Literary Criticism
Anthology