Nicholas Rowe, born in 1674, is a notable figure in the history of 17th-century English poetry. His work, though often overshadowed by his more famous contemporaries, such as John Dryden and Alexander Pope, plays an essential role in the development of English literary tradition during the late 17th century. Rowe’s poetry reflects the characteristics of the time, blending neoclassical influences with his personal style, and provides a rich insight into the culture and values of the Restoration period.
In this article, we will explore the life and works of Nicholas Rowe, examining his contributions to 17th-century English poetry and his place within the broader context of English literature. We will also compare his work with that of other poets from the same period to better understand his unique voice and influence.
Early Life and Education
Nicholas Rowe was born on June 20, 1674, in the city of London. He came from a respectable family—his father, the Honorable William Rowe, was a barrister. Rowe’s early education was at Westminster School, one of the leading institutions of the time, where he was introduced to Latin and classical literature. This early education laid the foundation for Rowe’s later interest in the works of classical poets, which would heavily influence his own poetic style.
Rowe later attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he further honed his literary and intellectual skills. It was at Oxford that Rowe became acquainted with the works of both ancient poets such as Virgil and Homer, as well as contemporary English poets, including John Dryden. These connections were instrumental in shaping Rowe’s artistic vision. Though Rowe never fully entered the world of professional academia, he maintained a close relationship with Oxford throughout his life.
The Restoration and Literary Scene
The late 17th century, when Rowe was coming of age, was a time of great literary activity in England. The Restoration period, following the return of Charles II to the throne in 1660, brought with it a revival of arts and literature. English poetry was dominated by a few significant voices, most notably John Dryden, the poet laureate, whose works ranged from political satires to masterful translations of classical literature. Dryden’s influence on the poetic landscape of the time was profound, and his neoclassical style became the dominant mode for English poets of the period.
Rowe, however, did not merely follow in Dryden’s footsteps. Though he shared Dryden’s admiration for classical forms and his use of heroic couplets, Rowe’s works reveal a more personal, reflective approach. His poetry often combined elements of the classical with the contemporary, bridging the gap between the grand poetic traditions of the past and the emerging poetic concerns of the 18th century.
The Poetry of Nicholas Rowe
Nicholas Rowe’s poetry is marked by its clarity, balance, and formal structure, typical of the neoclassical style of the late 17th century. While his works are not as widely remembered as those of Dryden or Pope, Rowe’s contributions to English poetry are significant. His poetry primarily focuses on themes of love, nature, and personal reflection. His tone is often measured and meditative, revealing a sensibility that places him among the more introspective poets of his time.
One of Rowe’s most famous works is his Poems on Several Occasions (1709), which showcases his poetic versatility. The collection includes a mix of both longer narrative poems and shorter lyric pieces, all written in the heroic couplet, a form that was the hallmark of the period. Among these poems, The Destruction of Troy stands out as a notable attempt to engage with classical myth while also exploring the emotional and moral dimensions of human conflict.
Influence of Classical Poets
Rowe’s poetry is deeply influenced by classical writers such as Virgil and Homer, whose epic works he studied during his time at Oxford. Like these poets, Rowe employed grand narratives and formal verse to express timeless themes. The Destruction of Troy, for example, draws heavily from Homer’s Iliad, presenting a modern reimagining of the fall of Troy. Rowe’s use of the heroic couplet—two rhymed lines of iambic pentameter—was popularized by Dryden, but Rowe’s variations on the form reflect a more personal, often more meditative tone.
In his work, Rowe does not simply imitate the style of the ancient poets; rather, he integrates their ideals and values into his own literary vision. For example, his use of fate and heroism in The Destruction of Troy reflects the classical tradition of portraying the inevitability of destiny. However, Rowe also subtly critiques these ideals by incorporating elements of introspection, especially when dealing with the suffering of war.
Rowe’s Contribution to Drama
Although Rowe is primarily remembered as a poet, his work as a playwright also deserves attention. Rowe’s plays, which include The Fair Penitent (1703) and Tamerlane (1701), helped to define the restoration tragicomedy genre. These plays were well-received in their time and established Rowe as one of the foremost dramatists of the early 18th century. Though Rowe’s dramatic works have largely fallen into obscurity today, they represent an important phase in his career and reflect his engagement with the changing tastes in English drama.
What sets Rowe apart from other playwrights of the period is his ability to merge the classical ideals of tragedy with more modern sensibilities. He was able to depict complex emotions and moral dilemmas in a manner that was accessible to his audience. Rowe’s work was marked by its moral seriousness, and he became a key figure in the movement to reform English drama, moving away from the bawdy comedies of the Restoration and toward a more moralistic, serious form of theater.
Comparison with Contemporary Poets
Although Rowe is not as widely celebrated as John Dryden, Alexander Pope, or other poets of the period, his work can be understood as a nuanced response to the dominant literary movements of his time. In comparison with Dryden, Rowe’s poetry is more restrained and less overtly political. While Dryden’s poems often tackled current events, political power, and social issues, Rowe’s works focus more on personal emotions and reflections on the human condition.
Rowe’s poetry is also distinguished from that of other poets of the period by its emotional depth. Poets like Pope, while brilliant in their use of form, often emphasized wit and satire, sometimes at the expense of sentiment. Rowe, in contrast, explored the more personal aspects of life, such as love and loss, in ways that were less typical for the period. His reflective, almost melancholic tone set him apart from the more public-facing voices of Dryden and Pope.
Legacy and Influence
Although Rowe’s fame as a poet has diminished over the centuries, his work remains significant in the context of 17th-century English poetry. His blend of classical influences and personal reflection reflects the sensibilities of the period and contributed to the evolution of English poetry as it moved into the 18th century. His work was part of a larger shift in the literary world, one that moved away from the exuberance of the early Restoration period and toward a more serious, moralistic approach to literature.
Rowe’s influence on later poets, especially those involved in the neoclassical movement, cannot be overstated. His use of the heroic couplet and his deep engagement with classical themes helped to shape the poetry of Alexander Pope, whose works dominated the early 18th century. While Rowe may not have the same lasting impact as some of his contemporaries, his work played an important role in the transition from the Restoration to the Augustan age.
Conclusion
In the study of 17th-century English poets, Nicholas Rowe holds a distinct place. His works represent a bridge between the neoclassical ideals of poets like Dryden and the emerging forms of 18th-century English poetry. Rowe’s skillful use of the heroic couplet, his engagement with classical themes, and his personal, introspective voice provide a valuable contribution to the poetic tradition of the time.
Though his fame may not rival that of other poets of the period, Rowe’s contributions to English poetry are significant. His work reflects the broader literary currents of the 17th century, blending classical influences with modern sensibilities. In examining Rowe’s life and works, we gain a deeper understanding of the literary landscape of late 17th-century England, and of the evolving nature of English poetry during this transformative period in literary history.
In the context of 17th-century English poetry, Rowe’s work may not always stand at the forefront, but it continues to offer insights into the ways in which poetry evolves and interacts with its historical moment. By examining Rowe’s poetry alongside the works of his contemporaries, we gain a fuller picture of the literary world of the Restoration and early 18th century, with its blend of classical ideals, personal reflection, and moral seriousness.
