The 17th century was a period of great political, social, and cultural upheaval in England. These changes greatly influenced the poetry of the time, which ranged from the religious and metaphysical to the political and personal. Many British poets of the 17th century are regarded as foundational figures in English literature, shaping the direction of poetry for centuries to come. In this article, we will explore 12 of the most famous British poets of the 17th century, highlighting their contributions to the literary world and the lasting influence of their works.
12 British Poets Of The 17th Century
1. John Donne (1572–1631)
John Donne is perhaps the most celebrated of the metaphysical poets, a group known for their intricate use of conceits, emotional intensity, and exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes. Born in London, Donne’s work spans the genres of both poetry and prose. His life, filled with religious conflict and personal tragedy, is mirrored in the complexity of his poetry.
Literary Contributions
Donne’s poetry is marked by its bold metaphors, emotional depth, and intellectual rigor. His work often addresses love, death, and religion, using elaborate conceits to illustrate these themes. His famous Holy Sonnets reflect his struggle with faith and mortality, while his Elegies and Songs and Sonnets explore themes of love and desire.
Notable Works
Donne’s The Flea, one of his most famous early poems, uses the image of a flea to explore the nature of love and sexual attraction. The Holy Sonnets are a profound expression of religious devotion and spiritual conflict, while A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning explores the deep, transcendent nature of love.
Influence
Donne’s work laid the foundation for the metaphysical poets, and his influence can still be felt in modern poetry. His ability to blend intellectual themes with emotional complexity helped shape the future of English verse, especially in the realm of the personal and the introspective.
2. George Herbert (1593–1633)
George Herbert is another key figure among the metaphysical poets. Born into a prominent Welsh family, Herbert was a clergyman who balanced his religious duties with a rich poetic career. His work often reflects his deep religious faith, his relationship with God, and the complexities of living a life of piety.
Literary Contributions
Herbert’s poetry is defined by its spiritual and religious content. His work is marked by a formal simplicity that contrasts with the intellectual complexity of Donne’s poetry. While Donne often used elaborate metaphysical conceits, Herbert’s poems are more direct, focusing on the emotional and spiritual aspects of the human relationship with God.
Notable Works
Herbert’s The Temple, a collection of religious poems, is his most famous work. The poems explore themes of divine love, sin, and redemption. Love (III), one of his best-known individual poems, is a poignant meditation on the nature of God’s love and grace.
Influence
Herbert’s influence on English poetry, especially religious verse, is immense. His ability to express profound spiritual truths in simple yet elegant language has made him a beloved figure in both religious and literary circles. His works continue to be widely read and appreciated for their devotional qualities.
3. Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)
Andrew Marvell is known for his elegant and witty poetry, which blends the intellectualism of the metaphysical poets with a unique ability to observe and comment on the world around him. A contemporary of John Donne, Marvell wrote poems that range from playful to serious, often exploring themes of love, nature, and politics.
Literary Contributions
Marvell’s poetry often blends the personal and political, as seen in his famous poem To His Coy Mistress, where he uses the argument of time to persuade his lover. His works also include sharp political commentary, as seen in An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland, which addresses the political turmoil of his time.
Notable Works
To His Coy Mistress is one of Marvell’s most famous poems, combining a witty argument with deep reflections on the passage of time. The Garden explores the themes of nature and solitude, while An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell’s Return from Ireland displays his skill as a political poet.
Influence
Marvell’s wit, lyricism, and ability to blend personal reflection with political commentary influenced later poets, especially in the realm of English satire. His work remains relevant in discussions of the interplay between personal life and political context.
4. Richard Crashaw (1613–1649)
Richard Crashaw was a leading figure in the English Baroque style, and his work is often associated with religious poetry. Born in England, Crashaw spent much of his life in exile after converting to Catholicism, a major influence on his poetry. His works are deeply spiritual and focused on divine love.
Literary Contributions
Crashaw’s poetry is known for its vivid, ornate style, and his deep devotion to religious themes. His language is often intense and passionate, employing dramatic metaphors to express the soul’s longing for God. His poetry blends the sensual and the spiritual, reflecting his religious devotion and Catholic faith.
Notable Works
Crashaw’s most famous work is The Steps to the Temple, a collection of religious poems. His poem The Flaming Heart is a striking expression of religious ecstasy, while The Blessed Virgin’s Lullaby demonstrates his ability to combine religious devotion with lyrical beauty.
Influence
Crashaw’s Baroque style influenced later English poetry, particularly in its use of vivid imagery and emotional intensity. His work continued to inspire poets who sought to explore the spiritual dimension of life through art.
5. John Milton (1608–1674)
John Milton is one of the greatest poets in the English language, renowned for his epic work Paradise Lost. Born in London, Milton was a scholar, civil servant, and a passionate political writer who supported the English Commonwealth. His works explore profound themes of free will, the nature of good and evil, and the human condition.
Literary Contributions
Milton’s works are marked by their grandeur and intellectual rigor. His poetry is deeply influenced by his political and religious beliefs, especially his opposition to monarchy and support for Puritanism. His epic poem Paradise Lost is a monumental achievement in English literature, exploring the biblical story of the Fall of Man.
Notable Works
Paradise Lost is Milton’s most famous work, an epic poem that explores themes of temptation, free will, and redemption. Paradise Regained, his shorter follow-up, continues to explore similar themes, while his political works, such as Areopagitica, show his commitment to freedom of speech and conscience.
Influence
Milton’s influence on English literature is immeasurable. Paradise Lost has inspired countless writers and poets, and his philosophical explorations of freedom, faith, and the human condition continue to resonate with readers today.
6. Ben Jonson (1572–1637)
Ben Jonson was a major figure in English Renaissance literature, particularly known for his plays, but also as a poet. He was a contemporary of Shakespeare and a master of the classical tradition in English poetry. Jonson’s work is marked by its wit, elegance, and mastery of the English language.
Literary Contributions
Jonson’s poetry is known for its satirical and sometimes bitter tone. He was highly influenced by the classical poets of ancient Greece and Rome, and his works often display his deep learning. His poetry addresses a wide range of subjects, including friendship, love, and the nature of poetry itself.
Notable Works
Jonson’s Epigrams is a collection of short, witty poems that demonstrate his skill with satire. His To Penshurst is one of his most famous works, a celebration of the English country house and a reflection on the virtues of the landed gentry.
Influence
Jonson’s works had a significant influence on the development of English literature. His wit, mastery of form, and classical references have shaped the way poets and playwrights approach language and structure.
7. Thomas Carew (1595–1640)
Thomas Carew was a poet in the court of Charles I, and he was one of the major figures of the Cavalier poets. His work is often marked by its lightness, sensuality, and smooth, polished style. Carew’s poems often explore themes of love, beauty, and the pleasures of life.
Literary Contributions
Carew’s poetry is known for its elegance and clarity. As a member of the Cavalier poets, he embraced a style that was focused on enjoyment of life, love, and sensuality. His works also reflect the political and social atmosphere of his time, particularly in their celebration of the monarchy.
Notable Works
To My Mistress, Going to Bed is a famous example of Carew’s playful and sensual poetry. A Rapture is another example of his light, humorous style, exploring the fleeting nature of love and beauty.
Influence
Carew’s work influenced later poets, especially those who focused on the themes of love, sensuality, and the pleasures of life. His smooth, polished style continues to be admired by readers of English poetry.
8. Sir John Suckling (1609–1642)
Sir John Suckling was a poet and dramatist known for his light, witty verse and his association with the Cavalier poets. Born into an aristocratic family, Suckling’s poetry reflects his sense of privilege and his love of the pleasures of life, particularly love and beauty.
Literary Contributions
Suckling’s poetry is marked by its elegance, wit, and playful approach to love. His poems often explore the themes of unrequited love, beauty, and the complexities of relationships. His work is also known for its musicality and use of rhyme.
Notable Works
Suckling’s poem Why so Pale and Wan, Fond Lover? is one of his most famous works, capturing the torment of unrequited love. The Lover’s Guide is another important work, a humorous and playful exploration of love and relationships.
Influence
Suckling’s light, witty style influenced later poets, particularly in the realm of love poetry. His ability to blend humor with deep emotion has made his work enduringly popular.
9. Henry Vaughan (1621–1695)
Henry Vaughan was a Welsh poet who is often grouped with the metaphysical poets. His work is marked by its religious and philosophical themes, and his poetry frequently addresses the nature of God, the soul, and the afterlife.
Literary Contributions
Vaughan’s poetry is known for its mystical and spiritual qualities. He sought to express the ineffable experiences of faith and the longing of the soul for God. His work is rich in metaphor and often explores the nature of existence and the divine.
Notable Works
The Retreat is one of Vaughan’s most famous poems, reflecting his longing for the simplicity and purity of childhood faith. Silex Scintillans is a collection of Vaughan’s religious poetry, showcasing his deep spirituality.
Influence
Vaughan’s mystical and religious poetry had a significant influence on later poets, particularly in the Romantic period. His exploration of the divine and the soul resonates with readers who are drawn to spiritual and philosophical themes.
10. Richard Lovelace (1618–1658)
Richard Lovelace was a poet known for his passionate and sometimes rebellious spirit. As a Cavalier poet, Lovelace was a supporter of the monarchy and wrote poems that often celebrate love, beauty, and loyalty.
Literary Contributions
Lovelace’s poetry is marked by its intense emotion and commitment to love and loyalty. His work blends the personal with the political, reflecting his support for the royalist cause during the English Civil War.
Notable Works
To Althea, from Prison is one of Lovelace’s most famous poems, written while he was imprisoned for his support of the monarchy. The poem expresses themes of love, freedom, and loyalty.
Influence
Lovelace’s poems of passion and loyalty have had a lasting impact on English poetry. His ability to convey intense emotions through verse continues to resonate with readers today.
11. Abraham Cowley (1618–1667)
Abraham Cowley was a poet and essayist who was considered one of the leading figures of the 17th century. His work blends the metaphysical style with a more personal, reflective approach to poetry.
Literary Contributions
Cowley’s poetry covers a wide range of themes, including love, death, and philosophy. His use of metaphysical conceits and his exploration of the inner workings of the mind and soul made him a unique figure in 17th-century poetry.
Notable Works
Cowley’s The Mistress and Pindaric Odes are some of his most famous works, showcasing his versatility as a poet. His Essay on Poetry is also an important work in the development of English literary criticism.
Influence
Cowley’s work influenced later poets, especially in the realm of literary criticism and the metaphysical style. His contributions to English poetry continue to be studied and admired for their intellectual depth.
12. Thomas Milton (1608–1665)
Thomas Milton, a lesser-known figure of the 17th century, contributed to the poetic development of the era through his focus on moral and philosophical themes.
Literary Contributions
Milton’s poetry is reflective, tackling questions of morality, humanity, and the nature of existence.
Notable Works
His most notable works are The Fate of Man and The Divine Justice, both exploring the moral implications of human actions.
Influence
Though not as widely known as his contemporaries, Milton’s work has contributed to the shaping of 17th-century thought and the exploration of human nature.
Conclusion
The 17th century was a period of immense growth and diversity in English poetry. From the deeply religious and philosophical poems of John Milton to the witty, sensuous verse of the Cavalier poets, this century produced works that continue to resonate today. The contributions of these 12 poets—ranging from personal reflections on love and nature to profound political and religious commentary—laid the foundation for the future development of English poetry and have influenced generations of writers since. Their works remain a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.
