Nahum Tate, a significant figure in 17th-century English poetry, is often remembered for his contributions to the literary world during a period marked by great social, political, and religious upheaval. Born in 1652, Tate’s life and work reflect the complex history of the era, blending political, personal, and literary influences into a body of work that continues to be a subject of study and interest. In this article, we will explore the life, works, and legacy of Nahum Tate, comparing him with other poets of his time and examining his place in the broader scope of English poetry.
Early Life and Education
Nahum Tate was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1652, during a period when Ireland was under English control and recovering from the turmoil of the English Civil War and Cromwellian rule. He was the son of the poet and playwright, Thomas Tate, and his mother, Catherine. His father’s influence on his early life was significant, as it was from him that Tate inherited his literary inclinations. Tate’s early education was marked by his time at Trinity College, Dublin, where he received a classical education that included studies in Greek and Latin literature. This solid foundation in classical education later informed much of his poetry, particularly in his use of mythological and classical references.
Literary Beginnings and Early Works
Tate’s earliest works were influenced by the Restoration period’s renewed interest in classical literature and the emerging Baroque style. His first significant poem, The Empress of Morocco (1673), was a dramatic poem that engaged with both themes of Orientalism and European courtly politics. The poem was met with some success and was praised for its ambitious blending of tragic and heroic elements.
Tate’s early poetry was shaped by the political and religious climate of his time. After the fall of the Puritan Commonwealth and the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660, the political landscape was shifting rapidly. Tate’s works reflect the Restoration’s themes of royalism, order, and the re-establishment of the monarchy. His poetry aligned with the royalist sentiment of the time, celebrating monarchy, divine right, and the return of stability to England.
The Transition to Drama
While Tate is primarily remembered as a poet, his career also included important work in drama. He is perhaps best known today for his adaptations of earlier works. Tate’s most famous dramatic achievement was his revision of William Shakespeare’s King Lear in 1681. In Tate’s version, the tragic ending of Shakespeare’s play was altered, providing a more optimistic conclusion in which Lear and Cordelia are reunited and Cordelia survives. This version of King Lear enjoyed a long period of popularity, being performed far more often than Shakespeare’s original play during the 18th century.
Tate’s revisions of Shakespeare were part of a broader trend in the Restoration and early 18th century, where playwrights and poets often reworked older classics to reflect contemporary sensibilities, moral standards, and political inclinations. His version of King Lear, although criticized by some for its deviation from Shakespeare’s original vision, demonstrated Tate’s deep understanding of the needs of the Restoration audience, who preferred more comforting, less bleak conclusions to their dramas.
Comparison with Other 17th Century English Poets
To fully appreciate Nahum Tate’s place in the world of 17th-century English poetry, it is essential to compare his works with those of his contemporaries, particularly poets such as John Dryden, Andrew Marvell, and John Milton.
John Dryden
John Dryden (1631–1700) was another central figure in Restoration literature, and his influence on English poetry was immense. Dryden was a master of satire, heroics, and dramatic writing. His poetry, such as Absalom and Achitophel (1681), focused on political commentary, often engaging with the turbulent issues of the time. While Dryden’s poetry was more overtly political, Nahum Tate shared Dryden’s sense of classical influence, with both poets drawing on mythological themes and historical subjects.
Unlike Tate, however, Dryden’s career spanned a period of active political engagement, as Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate in 1670 and later became a key figure in the political and literary debates of his time. Tate, in contrast, was more of an artist who adapted works from the past, as evidenced by his revision of King Lear, whereas Dryden’s works often sought to engage with contemporary issues directly.
Andrew Marvell
Andrew Marvell (1621–1678), another poet of the period, was known for his subtle, metaphysical poetry, which contrasted with Tate’s more straightforward and dramatic style. Marvell’s works, such as To His Coy Mistress and The Garden, are examples of his wit, his concern with nature, and his philosophical reflections on human existence. Marvell’s work was often more introspective and philosophical, while Tate’s poetry was rooted in the political and social issues of his time.
Despite these differences, both Tate and Marvell shared an appreciation for classical themes. Marvell’s use of classical imagery, such as in his pastoral poems, echoes Tate’s approach to mythological allusion, though Marvell’s engagement with classical ideas often carried a more personal, philosophical tone.
John Milton
John Milton (1608–1674) was one of the greatest poets in English literature, and his influence on 17th-century English poetry was unparalleled. His epic Paradise Lost (1667) is a monumental work that blends classical mythology with Christian theology. Milton’s influence can be felt in much of the poetry of the time, but Tate’s works did not engage with Milton’s high themes of rebellion, divine justice, or human fallibility in the same way. Tate was more focused on entertaining and offering solace to his audience, as seen in his revisions of Shakespeare’s tragedies.
While Tate was a part of the Restoration poetic world that was a reaction against the Puritan Commonwealth, he did not share Milton’s revolutionary zeal. Tate’s poetry often focused on themes of royalism and the divine right of kings, whereas Milton’s works advocated for individual liberty and freedom of conscience. Despite these differences, both poets were involved in the political climate of their time, though they responded to it in vastly different ways.
Tate’s Contributions to English Poetry
Tate’s contribution to English poetry is not limited to his own original works but extends to his ability to adapt, revise, and update older literary works for new audiences. His adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, especially King Lear, were an important part of the literary landscape of the Restoration and beyond. By providing a more optimistic conclusion to Shakespeare’s tragedy, Tate catered to an audience weary from years of civil war and political instability, offering them a sense of hope and resolution.
Furthermore, Tate’s poetry often reflected the religious and political tensions of his time. As a royalist, he supported the monarchy and was deeply concerned with themes of divine right and the restoration of order. His works from the period after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 celebrated the return of stability and royal authority.
Tate was also a master of the heroic couplet, a form popularized by Dryden, and he used this form effectively in his poetry to convey both grandeur and subtlety. His works, though less studied today than those of some of his contemporaries, nevertheless contributed to the evolution of English poetry, particularly in the realm of classical allusion and poetic form.
Legacy
Despite the critical neglect of his works after his death in 1715, Tate’s legacy remains significant in the context of 17th-century English poetry. His works, particularly his adaptations of Shakespeare, had a lasting impact on the theatrical world, influencing the way plays were staged and enjoyed during the 18th century. Though Tate is often overshadowed by the towering figures of Dryden, Milton, and Marvell, his place in the pantheon of 17th-century poets is secure, especially for his ability to balance classical allusion with contemporary concerns.
His poetry, though often seen as less innovative than that of his peers, provides an important window into the Restoration period. His works were part of a literary culture that sought to restore and celebrate the monarchy, and his revisions of Shakespeare are emblematic of the period’s broader desire to reshape older cultural artifacts to align with contemporary values and sensibilities.
Conclusion
Nahum Tate was a significant, if sometimes overlooked, figure in 17th-century English poetry. His works, shaped by the political and religious turbulence of the Restoration, reflect the literary concerns of his time. Although he is not as widely studied as some of his contemporaries, his contributions to both poetry and drama, particularly through his adaptations of Shakespeare, deserve recognition. By comparing Tate with other poets of his era, we gain a fuller understanding of the diversity of poetic expression in the 17th century and the complex ways in which poets navigated the cultural and political landscape of their time.
Tate’s blend of classical influences, political loyalty, and dramatic adaptations marks him as a key figure in the evolution of English poetry. Though his fame may have waned, his works continue to offer insight into the world of 17th-century English poets and the ways in which literature both shaped and reflected the society of its time.
