Notes of
Classical, neoclassical and romantic poetry
Compelled By
Eman Zahra
BS English (5th semester)
Introductory paragraph
Chaucer prologue to Canterbury Tales
Canterbury Tales was written by Geoffrey Chaucer around the late 1300s
(about 1387–1400). In the General Prologue, Chaucer introduces a group of
pilgrims who are travelling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
He describes their backgrounds, their looks, and their personalities in a lively
and friendly way. Chaucer’s aim in writing this was to show different kinds of
people in English society and to entertain readers with stories told during the
journey. The Prologue sets the scene for the tales that each pilgrim will share
on the road.
One day I wrote her name upon the sand
“One Day I Wrote Her Name Upon the Sand” is a sonnet written by Edmund
Spenser in the late 1500s (published in 1595 as part of his sonnet sequence
Amoretti). In this poem, Spenser describes writing his beloved’s name on the
sand, only for the waves to wash it away. Through this simple scene, he shows
how earthly things do not last. His aim in the poem is to express that true love
can overcome time and death, and that poetry has the power to make love
eternal. The sonnet beautifully blends love, nature, and the idea of immortality.
When Forty winters shall beseige thy brow
“When Forty Winters Shall Besiege Thy Brow” is a sonnet written by William
Shakespeare in the late 1500s, and it was published in 1609 as part of his
collection of 154 sonnets. In this poem, Shakespeare speaks to a young man
and asks him to think about how he will look when he becomes old. The poet
warns that beauty fades with time. Shakespeare’s aim in writing this sonnet is
to encourage the young man to have children so that his beauty can live on
through the next generation. The poem uses simple, strong imagery to show
how time changes us and why creating a family can keep one’s legacy alive.
, Death be not proud
“Death Be Not Proud” is a poem written by John Donne and published after
his death in 1633. In this poem, Donne talks to Death as if it were a person and
tells it not to be proud, because it is not as strong or scary as people believe.
The purpose of the poem is to show that death is not the end of life and that it
has no real power over the human soul. Donne wants readers to feel
comforted and less afraid by reminding them that death is only a small step
toward eternal life.
Paradise lost
Paradise Lost, written by John Milton and first published in 1667, is an epic
poem that tells the story of how Satan rebelled against God and how Adam
and Eve were tempted and fell from the Garden of Eden. Milton’s purpose in
writing this long poem was to “justify the ways of God to men,” which means
he wanted to help people understand why God allows certain things to
happen, especially the existence of evil and suffering. The poem aims to show
the struggle between good and evil and to remind readers of the importance
of obedience, faith, and free will.
Rape of the lock
The Rape of the Lock, written by Alexander Pope and first published in 1712
(and later expanded in 1714), is a humorous and playful poem that makes fun of
how upper-class society reacted to small problems. The poem is based on a
real incident where a young man cut a lock of hair from a young woman,
causing a big argument between their families. Pope’s purpose in writing the
poem was to show how silly and exaggerated such reactions could be, and to
calm the tension between the two families by turning the event into a
light-hearted, mock-heroic story.
Ode on intimation of immortality
“Ode: Intimations of Immortality”, written by William Wordsworth and published
in 1807, is a poem that expresses the poet’s feelings about how the sense of
wonder we have in childhood slowly fades as we grow older. Wordsworth’s
purpose in this poem is to show that although adults lose the pure joy and
heavenly brightness of childhood, they still gain wisdom and deeper
,understanding of life. He explains that the memories of childhood remind us of
our spiritual connection to nature and help us feel a sense of hope and
immortality.
Ode on a Grecian Urn
“Ode on a Grecian Urn,” written by John Keats and published in 1820, is a
poem in which the poet looks at an ancient Greek urn and reflects on the
stories painted on it. He is amazed at how the figures on the urn never
change—they are frozen in time, always young and always happy. Keats’s
purpose in this poem is to explore the idea that art can capture beauty forever,
even though human life is short and constantly changing. The poem suggests
that art teaches us a simple but deep message: beauty and truth are closely
connected and can give lasting meaning to life.
Christabel
Christabel, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and first published in 1816, is a
mysterious and unfinished poem that tells the story of a young woman named
Christabel who meets a strange lady called Geraldine. The poem creates a
dark, magical atmosphere filled with hints of the supernatural. Coleridge’s
purpose in writing Christabel was to explore themes of innocence, evil, and
the unknown, while also creating a sense of suspense and wonder through its
dream-like style. Even though the poem was never completed, it remains
famous for its haunting mood and imaginative storytelling.
She walks in beauty
“She Walks in Beauty,” written by Lord Byron and published in 1815, is a short
poem in which the poet admires a woman’s calm and gentle beauty. He
describes how her outer beauty is perfectly balanced with her inner goodness
and purity. Byron’s purpose in this poem is to show that true beauty comes
from a harmony of light and darkness—both in appearance and in character.
Through his soft and elegant descriptions, he suggests that the woman’s
peaceful nature is what makes her truly beautiful.
The flower that smiles today
“The Flower That Smiles Today,” written by Percy Bysshe Shelley and
published in 1820, is a short poem that compares human life to a flower that
, blooms and fades quickly. Shelley’s purpose in this poem is to remind readers
that life is short and temporary, so we should enjoy its beauty while it lasts. He
also wants to teach that kindness and joy, like the beauty of a flower, bring
happiness to ourselves and others, even though everything in life is fleeting.
Chaucer prologue to Canterbury Tales
Characters summaries
The Knight:
The Knight is presented as the most noble and honorable character
in The Canterbury Tales. He is a brave and skilled warrior who has fought in
many important battles across different parts of the world. Despite his great
success in war and the high respect he receives from others, he remains
humble, polite, and gentle. Chaucer describes him as the perfect example of a
true knight—someone who follows the code of chivalry, behaves with dignity,
and treats everyone with respect. He does not show off or brag about his
achievements, and he dresses in simple, practical clothes rather than fancy
armor or rich fabrics. The Knight’s personality and behavior show that he
values duty, honor, and moral goodness more than wealth or appearance.
The Prioress:
The Prioress, named Madam Eglantine, is a nun who tries very
hard to appear refined, noble, and gentle. She is kind-hearted and sensitive,
especially toward animals, and she speaks French, though not perfectly,
because she wants to seem educated and upper-class. Chaucer gently makes
fun of her because she cares more about manners, elegance, and social
image than true religious devotion. She pays great attention to her
appearance, wears fine clothing, and even has a fancy rosary with a golden
brooch engraved with “Love conquers all,” which is unusual for a religious
woman. The Prioress seems sweet and polite, but her actions suggest that she
is more focused on looking graceful and ladylike than on living a life of
spiritual simplicity.
The Friar:
The Friar, named Hubert, is one of the more corrupt religious characters
in the story. Instead of living a simple and holy life, he uses his position to
make money and gain personal pleasure. He is charming and persuasive,
especially with women and wealthy people, and he hears confessions not to
help souls but to earn gifts in return. He arranges marriages for young women
Classical, neoclassical and romantic poetry
Compelled By
Eman Zahra
BS English (5th semester)
Introductory paragraph
Chaucer prologue to Canterbury Tales
Canterbury Tales was written by Geoffrey Chaucer around the late 1300s
(about 1387–1400). In the General Prologue, Chaucer introduces a group of
pilgrims who are travelling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury.
He describes their backgrounds, their looks, and their personalities in a lively
and friendly way. Chaucer’s aim in writing this was to show different kinds of
people in English society and to entertain readers with stories told during the
journey. The Prologue sets the scene for the tales that each pilgrim will share
on the road.
One day I wrote her name upon the sand
“One Day I Wrote Her Name Upon the Sand” is a sonnet written by Edmund
Spenser in the late 1500s (published in 1595 as part of his sonnet sequence
Amoretti). In this poem, Spenser describes writing his beloved’s name on the
sand, only for the waves to wash it away. Through this simple scene, he shows
how earthly things do not last. His aim in the poem is to express that true love
can overcome time and death, and that poetry has the power to make love
eternal. The sonnet beautifully blends love, nature, and the idea of immortality.
When Forty winters shall beseige thy brow
“When Forty Winters Shall Besiege Thy Brow” is a sonnet written by William
Shakespeare in the late 1500s, and it was published in 1609 as part of his
collection of 154 sonnets. In this poem, Shakespeare speaks to a young man
and asks him to think about how he will look when he becomes old. The poet
warns that beauty fades with time. Shakespeare’s aim in writing this sonnet is
to encourage the young man to have children so that his beauty can live on
through the next generation. The poem uses simple, strong imagery to show
how time changes us and why creating a family can keep one’s legacy alive.
, Death be not proud
“Death Be Not Proud” is a poem written by John Donne and published after
his death in 1633. In this poem, Donne talks to Death as if it were a person and
tells it not to be proud, because it is not as strong or scary as people believe.
The purpose of the poem is to show that death is not the end of life and that it
has no real power over the human soul. Donne wants readers to feel
comforted and less afraid by reminding them that death is only a small step
toward eternal life.
Paradise lost
Paradise Lost, written by John Milton and first published in 1667, is an epic
poem that tells the story of how Satan rebelled against God and how Adam
and Eve were tempted and fell from the Garden of Eden. Milton’s purpose in
writing this long poem was to “justify the ways of God to men,” which means
he wanted to help people understand why God allows certain things to
happen, especially the existence of evil and suffering. The poem aims to show
the struggle between good and evil and to remind readers of the importance
of obedience, faith, and free will.
Rape of the lock
The Rape of the Lock, written by Alexander Pope and first published in 1712
(and later expanded in 1714), is a humorous and playful poem that makes fun of
how upper-class society reacted to small problems. The poem is based on a
real incident where a young man cut a lock of hair from a young woman,
causing a big argument between their families. Pope’s purpose in writing the
poem was to show how silly and exaggerated such reactions could be, and to
calm the tension between the two families by turning the event into a
light-hearted, mock-heroic story.
Ode on intimation of immortality
“Ode: Intimations of Immortality”, written by William Wordsworth and published
in 1807, is a poem that expresses the poet’s feelings about how the sense of
wonder we have in childhood slowly fades as we grow older. Wordsworth’s
purpose in this poem is to show that although adults lose the pure joy and
heavenly brightness of childhood, they still gain wisdom and deeper
,understanding of life. He explains that the memories of childhood remind us of
our spiritual connection to nature and help us feel a sense of hope and
immortality.
Ode on a Grecian Urn
“Ode on a Grecian Urn,” written by John Keats and published in 1820, is a
poem in which the poet looks at an ancient Greek urn and reflects on the
stories painted on it. He is amazed at how the figures on the urn never
change—they are frozen in time, always young and always happy. Keats’s
purpose in this poem is to explore the idea that art can capture beauty forever,
even though human life is short and constantly changing. The poem suggests
that art teaches us a simple but deep message: beauty and truth are closely
connected and can give lasting meaning to life.
Christabel
Christabel, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and first published in 1816, is a
mysterious and unfinished poem that tells the story of a young woman named
Christabel who meets a strange lady called Geraldine. The poem creates a
dark, magical atmosphere filled with hints of the supernatural. Coleridge’s
purpose in writing Christabel was to explore themes of innocence, evil, and
the unknown, while also creating a sense of suspense and wonder through its
dream-like style. Even though the poem was never completed, it remains
famous for its haunting mood and imaginative storytelling.
She walks in beauty
“She Walks in Beauty,” written by Lord Byron and published in 1815, is a short
poem in which the poet admires a woman’s calm and gentle beauty. He
describes how her outer beauty is perfectly balanced with her inner goodness
and purity. Byron’s purpose in this poem is to show that true beauty comes
from a harmony of light and darkness—both in appearance and in character.
Through his soft and elegant descriptions, he suggests that the woman’s
peaceful nature is what makes her truly beautiful.
The flower that smiles today
“The Flower That Smiles Today,” written by Percy Bysshe Shelley and
published in 1820, is a short poem that compares human life to a flower that
, blooms and fades quickly. Shelley’s purpose in this poem is to remind readers
that life is short and temporary, so we should enjoy its beauty while it lasts. He
also wants to teach that kindness and joy, like the beauty of a flower, bring
happiness to ourselves and others, even though everything in life is fleeting.
Chaucer prologue to Canterbury Tales
Characters summaries
The Knight:
The Knight is presented as the most noble and honorable character
in The Canterbury Tales. He is a brave and skilled warrior who has fought in
many important battles across different parts of the world. Despite his great
success in war and the high respect he receives from others, he remains
humble, polite, and gentle. Chaucer describes him as the perfect example of a
true knight—someone who follows the code of chivalry, behaves with dignity,
and treats everyone with respect. He does not show off or brag about his
achievements, and he dresses in simple, practical clothes rather than fancy
armor or rich fabrics. The Knight’s personality and behavior show that he
values duty, honor, and moral goodness more than wealth or appearance.
The Prioress:
The Prioress, named Madam Eglantine, is a nun who tries very
hard to appear refined, noble, and gentle. She is kind-hearted and sensitive,
especially toward animals, and she speaks French, though not perfectly,
because she wants to seem educated and upper-class. Chaucer gently makes
fun of her because she cares more about manners, elegance, and social
image than true religious devotion. She pays great attention to her
appearance, wears fine clothing, and even has a fancy rosary with a golden
brooch engraved with “Love conquers all,” which is unusual for a religious
woman. The Prioress seems sweet and polite, but her actions suggest that she
is more focused on looking graceful and ladylike than on living a life of
spiritual simplicity.
The Friar:
The Friar, named Hubert, is one of the more corrupt religious characters
in the story. Instead of living a simple and holy life, he uses his position to
make money and gain personal pleasure. He is charming and persuasive,
especially with women and wealthy people, and he hears confessions not to
help souls but to earn gifts in return. He arranges marriages for young women
