Classic and Contemporary Poets

William Stanley Merwin, known as W.S. Merwin, was born in 1927 in New York City and became one of the most versatile and acclaimed poets of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Although initially influenced by traditional forms and styles, his work eventually evolved into free verse and a unique form of modernism that placed him among the greats like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. His career spanned seven decades, featuring a range of styles and themes but commonly tethered to environmentalism, the nature of memory, and existential contemplation.

Early Influences

Merwin grew up in a religious household—his father was a Presbyterian minister—which shaped his early engagement with language and narrative. He attended Princeton University, where he studied under eminent poet and critic R.P. Blackmur. This academic engagement, coupled with his exposure to modernist poets like Eliot and the Romantics like William Wordsworth, significantly impacted his early style.

Poetic Schools or Movements

Merwin's work doesn't fit neatly into any one school or movement, but several styles have influenced him. His early work resonated with the formal structures of the traditional British canon. However, he became increasingly associated with Modernist and Postmodernist movements. In his later years, his work evolved to reflect his deepening environmental concerns, aligning him with the eco-poetic or naturalist movements.

Poetic Oeuvre: Phases and Themes

Formalist Beginnings: Merwin started as a formalist, utilizing conventional forms and metrics. His early works, like "A Mask for Janus" (1952), showed his mastery over these forms.

Shift to Free Verse: By the 1960s, Merwin's style transitioned into free verse. Works like "The Lice" (1967) and "The Carrier of Ladders" (1970) mark this shift.

Environmentalism and Nature: From the late 20th century onwards, Merwin became increasingly focused on themes of nature and environmentalism, influenced by his life in Hawaii and his efforts in conservation. Poems like "Rain Light" show his deep connection to the natural world.

Existential and Cosmic Concerns: Merwin's work also explores existential themes and the limits of human understanding. His later work frequently delves into the impermanence of memory and the unknowable vastness of cosmic phenomena.

Influence

Merwin’s influence extends beyond poetry into environmental activism and translation. His work has inspired a generation of eco-poets and has been influential in various literary and philosophical circles. Merwin's translations of Latin, French, and Spanish literature have also had a significant impact, providing English-speaking audiences access to global voices.

Honors

Merwin received numerous awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry—for "The Carrier of Ladders" and "The Shadow of Sirius"—and a National Book Award for "Migration: New and Selected Poems." He also served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2010 to 2011.

Conclusion

W.S. Merwin's evolution as a poet mirrors the broader shifts in American poetry and intellectual thought over the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st. From his formalist beginnings to his free-verse masterpieces, Merwin remained ever-curious, ever-evolving. His concern for environmental degradation made him a poet for the planet, while his deep existential musings made him a poet for all of humanity. His death in 2019 left a vacuum, but his words continue to inspire, making him an enduring figure in the literary world.

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