Classic and Contemporary Poets

Richard Brathwaite, or Brathwait (1588–1673), was an English poet, writer, and satirist who lived during the Elizabethan and subsequent Jacobean and Caroline eras, making significant contributions through his varied literary works. He is noted for his pastoral poems, satirical verses, and prose characters.

Literary Background

Brathwaite's early education was at the Royal Grammar School of Kendal, and he later attended Oriel College, Oxford, where he was regarded as a wit and a poet. His literary career reflects the Renaissance humanist tradition, as his works display a rich knowledge of classical literature as well as contemporary Renaissance literature.

Early Influences

The pastoral tradition of classical poets like Virgil and the more recent pastoral poems by Spenser significantly influenced Brathwaite's work. He also drew from various Renaissance sources, including Elizabethan prose and poetry, which were steeped in both the grandeur of the epic and the intricacies of humanist thought.

Poetic Schools or Movements

As a poet of the late Renaissance, Brathwaite was not associated with a specific school or movement but instead straddled the transition between the Elizabethan era's pastoral and romantic traditions and the more introspective and moralistic tones that characterized the Jacobean and Caroline periods. His work often incorporated elements of Renaissance pastoralism and humanism while also exhibiting the shift towards the baroque sensibility of the 17th century.

Poetic Oeuvre: Phases and Themes

Brathwaite's poetry is diverse, ranging from serious religious and moral poems to light-hearted pastorals and satires. He had a predilection for the mock-heroic and was adept at using humor and irony. His works also frequently dealt with themes of virtue, vice, and morality, reflecting the societal and religious preoccupations of his time. One of his well-known works is "The English Gentleman," and "The English Gentlewoman," which are prose works with a poetic rhythm, detailing the attributes of ideal members of society.

Influence

While not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries, Brathwaite's work was influential in the 17th century. His contributions lie in his ability to capture and satirize the essence of human folly and to embody the transitioning literary tastes of his time. He influenced the development of satirical writing, contributing to the evolution of the essay and character-writing.

Honors

Brathwaite's contemporaries highly regarded his work, but unlike the peerage or knighthood some authors received, Brathwaite's honors were more literary than titled. He was esteemed by fellow poets and writers, which is a testament to his reputation during his lifetime.

Conclusion

Richard Brathwaite's contribution to English literature lies in his versatility and his blend of the serious and the comic. His pastoral poetry reflects a classical influence, while his satirical work foreshadows the Restoration wits. His prose works, interspersed with poetry, remain significant for their depiction of the ideal qualities of 17th-century English gentry. Though not at the forefront of today's literary canon, Brathwaite's works offer valuable insight into the literary and social culture of his time.

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