Classic and Contemporary Poets

Christopher Smart (1722–1771) was an English poet, best known for his religious poetry and for his unique style that combined a deep sense of spirituality with a playful use of language and form. Smart's work, particularly his later poetry, is often celebrated for its visionary intensity and its innovative approach to poetic expression, marking him as a significant figure in the transition between the Neoclassical and Romantic eras in English literature.

Born in Kent, Smart was educated at Durham School and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he distinguished himself as a scholar. He began his career writing for periodicals and composing songs and satirical poems, but it was his later, more introspective and religious poetry that would cement his reputation as an important poet.

Smart's most famous work is "Jubilate Agno," a long, free-form religious poem that he wrote during his confinement in an asylum for what was likely a form of religious mania or bipolar disorder. The poem, not published until the 20th century, is best known for its section "For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry," a whimsical and tender meditation on his cat that has endeared Smart to generations of readers. "Jubilate Agno" is notable for its unconventional structure, its blending of the mundane with the divine, and its idiosyncratic celebration of God's creation.

Another significant work by Smart is "A Song to David," a lyrical and highly imaginative ode to the biblical King David. The poem showcases Smart's innovative use of rhythm and imagery, and his ability to weave together religious, personal, and natural themes into a cohesive and compelling whole.

Smart's style is characterized by its inventiveness, its rhythmic complexity, and its blend of the personal and the universal. His later poetry, in particular, reflects a move away from the structured forms of Neoclassicism towards a more free-flowing and emotive style that would come to characterize Romantic poetry. Smart's use of detailed natural imagery and his exploration of personal spirituality are seen as precursors to the Romantic movement.

The themes in Smart's poetry are varied, but his later work is dominated by religious and spiritual concerns, reflecting his deep faith and his struggles with mental illness. His poetry often explores the presence of the divine in the everyday and the capacity of the natural world to reflect and embody spiritual truths.

Christopher Smart's influence on English literature lies in his unique poetic voice and his early exploration of themes and styles that would become central to Romantic poetry. His work represents a bridge between the ordered world of Neoclassicism and the more expressive, subjective world of Romanticism.

In conclusion, Christopher Smart's legacy as a poet is marked by his visionary intensity, his innovative use of language and form, and his deeply personal exploration of faith and spirituality. His poetry, particularly "Jubilate Agno," continues to be celebrated for its originality, its lyrical beauty, and its unique blend of the sacred and the everyday.

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