Poetry and Society in England, 1588 to 1688

Reading and discussion of poems to comprehend meaning and place in configurations of rapidly transforming society. Tensions and changes in that culture, and lives of authors, these works helped negotiate. How and why metaphysical and cavalier modes emerge in period of intense struggle. Interplay of form, content, and meaning within these modes. Evidence offered about personal psychology, gender politics, and status competitions of this period and its poets, especially Donne, Herbert, Jonson, Carew, and Marvell. What kind of work were the poems doing? How, and how well, were they doing it? And, what kinds of work should we do on them now?

P/NP or letter grading.