Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Denham, a prominent English poet and playwright in the 17th century, wrote "On Mr. Abraham Cowley's Death and Burial Amongst the Ancient Poets" in 1667, shortly after Cowley's death. Denham and Cowley were both members of the Royal Society and were friends. The poem mourns the death of Cowley and praises him as a successor to the great poets of antiquity.

Context:

The 17th century was a time of great social and political change in England, with the English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy. The literary scene was dominated by the metaphysical poets and the Cavalier poets. Denham and Cowley were both members of the Royal Society, which was a scientific and literary society founded in 1660. They were also both poets who were influenced by the classical tradition. The poem reflects the influence of the classical tradition on English poetry, as well as the interest in death and mortality that was common in 17th-century literature.

Content:

The poem begins by describing Cowley's death and the mourning that followed. Denham compares Cowley to the great poets of Greece and Rome, suggesting that he is worthy to be buried among them. Denham praises Cowley's poetry, saying that it will live on long after his death and continue to inspire future generations of writers. The poem ends with Denham expressing his own grief at Cowley's passing and promising to keep his memory alive through his own poetry.

Form:

The poem consists of 42 lines of iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDEDEFGGHHIIJKKLMM. It is written in a formal, elevated style, with classical allusions and a focus on the theme of death and mortality. The poem's structure is carefully crafted to build to a climax, with the final lines expressing Denham's personal grief at Cowley's death.

Poetic Elements:

The poem makes use of classical allusions to compare Cowley to the great poets of Greece and Rome, including references to Virgil, Homer, and Ovid. The poem uses metaphor and symbolism to convey the idea that Cowley's poetry will live on long after his death, with references to "immortal bays" and "deathless laurels." The poem also makes use of imagery to describe the mourning that followed Cowley's death, including the image of "weeping eyes" and "sorrowing hearts."

Summary:

The poem is an elegy that mourns the death of Abraham Cowley and praises his poetry. It is notable for its use of classical allusions and its focus on the theme of mortality. The poem is a reflection of the interest in death and mortality that was common in 17th-century literature, as well as the influence of the classical tradition on English poetry. Overall, the poem is a well-crafted elegy that pays tribute to the life and work of Abraham Cowley.

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