8.4 Poetry of the mid-18th century

The mid-18th century saw poetry shift from formal Augustan styles to more personal, emotional expression. Nature, melancholy, and mortality became key themes, while new forms like the ode gained popularity. This transition laid the groundwork for the upcoming Romantic movement.

Poets like Thomas Gray, William Collins, and Christopher Smart exemplified this change. They blended traditional forms with emerging sensibilities, exploring themes of rural life, death, and spirituality. Their work reflected broader social and cultural shifts of the period.

Poetry of the Mid-18th Century

Shifting Themes and Styles

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE to EVENING. (William Collins) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE. On MELANCHOLY. (William Mason) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / A Pastoral BALLAD, in Four Parts. Written 1743 ... View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE to EVENING. (William Collins) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE. On MELANCHOLY. (William Mason) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE to EVENING. (William Collins) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE. On MELANCHOLY. (William Mason) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / A Pastoral BALLAD, in Four Parts. Written 1743 ... View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE to EVENING. (William Collins) View original

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  Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive / Works / ODE. On MELANCHOLY. (William Mason) View original

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• Mid-18th-century poetry transitioned from Augustan formalism to personal and emotional expression reflecting the emerging sensibility movement
• Nature became a prominent theme used as a backdrop for contemplation and inspiration foreshadowing the Romantic movement
• Melancholy and mortality emerged as recurring themes reflecting the period's fascination with human transience and the sublime
• Pastoral poetry evolved to include more realistic depictions of rural life moving away from idealized representations
• Gothic elements began to appear in poetry introducing supernatural and mysterious aspects that would later influence Romantic literature
• Personification and allegory remained prevalent often employed to explore abstract concepts and moral themes (death, virtue)

Emerging Poetic Forms

• The ode emerged as a significant poetic form allowing for more complex structures and emotional depth than previous neoclassical forms
• Quatrains and iambic pentameter persisted alongside more emotional content demonstrating the blend of formal elements with new sensibilities
• Free verse began to appear in works like Christopher Smart's "Jubilate Agno" representing a departure from conventional forms
• The graveyard school of poetry combined neoclassical form with pre-romantic themes of death and melancholy (Edward Young's "Night Thoughts")
• Revival of interest in medieval and folk traditions contributed to the pre-romantic movement (Thomas Percy's "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry")

Key Poets of the Mid-18th Century

Thomas Gray

• "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" exemplifies the period's preoccupation with mortality and democratization of poetic subjects
• Use of quatrains and iambic pentameter in the "Elegy" demonstrates the persistence of formal elements alongside more emotional content
• Explored themes of rural life, death, and the human condition in accessible language
• Incorporated classical allusions and personification while maintaining emotional depth
• Other notable works include "Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat" and "The Progress of Poesy"

William Collins

• "Ode to Evening" showcases the period's fascination with nature and the development of the ode form in English poetry
• Poetry often incorporates personified abstractions and mythological references blending neoclassical elements with emerging pre-romantic sensibilities
• "Ode to Liberty" reflects on national identity and political events demonstrating the influence of contemporary issues on poetry
• Use of vivid imagery and emotional intensity foreshadowed Romantic techniques
• Other significant works include "Ode on the Poetical Character" and "How Sleep the Brave"

Christopher Smart

• "Jubilate Agno" represents a departure from conventional forms featuring free verse and intense religious fervor
• "A Song to David" illustrates the period's exploration of spiritual themes and the sublime through innovative poetic techniques
• Blended religious devotion with nature imagery creating unique and visionary poetry
• Experimental use of language and structure challenged traditional poetic conventions
• Work often reflected his struggles with mental illness providing insight into the period's understanding of psychology and spirituality

Neoclassicism vs Sensibility

Neoclassical Influences

• Adherence to formal structures and use of classical allusions persisted though their dominance began to wane
• Emphasis on reason, order, and restraint continued to shape some poetic works
• Use of heroic couplets and other traditional forms remained common in certain poetic circles
• Classical mythology and historical references provided a shared cultural vocabulary for poets and readers
• Satirical and didactic elements from the earlier Augustan period still appeared in some works

Emergence of Sensibility

• Emphasized emotional response and individual feeling encouraging poets to explore more personal and subjective themes
• Focused on the capacity for refined emotion and sensitivity to beauty and suffering
• Promoted the idea of the "man of feeling" as an ideal of moral and emotional refinement
• Encouraged exploration of melancholy, sympathy, and introspection in poetry
• Influenced the development of more accessible language and relatable subject matter in poetry

Pre-Romantic Trends

• Increased focus on nature, imagination, and the sublime laid the groundwork for the later Romantic movement
• Exploration of the individual's emotional and psychological experiences became more prominent
• Interest in folk traditions, medieval literature, and national history grew (ballads, legends)
• Shift towards more spontaneous and less formal poetic expression began to emerge
• Tension between reason and emotion reflected the broader cultural shift from Enlightenment ideals towards Romantic sensibilities

Poetry and Social Change

Changing Readership and Publication

• Rise of the middle class and increased literacy rates led to a broader audience for poetry influencing both subject matter and style
• Growth of periodical culture and literary magazines provided new platforms for poets to publish and reach wider audiences (The Gentleman's Magazine, The Rambler)
• Gradual erosion of aristocratic patronage systems led to changes in poetic production and distribution with poets increasingly writing for a public market
• Increased importance of public opinion and critical reviews in shaping poetic reputations and success

Political and Cultural Influences

• Political events such as the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 inspired patriotic poetry and reflections on national identity (Collins' "Ode to Liberty")
• Ongoing process of industrialization and urbanization prompted poetic responses often idealizing rural life and lamenting the loss of traditional ways
• Increased global trade and exploration expanded the poetic imagination introducing exotic imagery and cross-cultural influences (Oriental tales, travelogues)
• Philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment particularly empiricism and skepticism influenced poetic themes and approaches to knowledge and perception

Social Commentary and Critique

• Poetry began to address social issues more directly including poverty, injustice, and the effects of war
• Satirical poetry continued to critique social and political institutions though often with more subtlety than earlier Augustan works
• Exploration of class differences and social mobility became more prominent reflecting changing social structures
• Gender roles and the position of women in society began to be questioned in some poetic works foreshadowing later feminist critiques