Georgian poetry marks a significant literary movement during King George V's reign, characterized by traditional forms and romanticism. It emerged as a response to Victorian Aestheticism and the complexities of World War I, influencing poets like Robert Graves, Siegfried Sassoon, and D.H. Lawrence. Their works often reflect a nostalgic yearning for pastoral beauty and explore themes of love, nature, and human emotion through formal poetic structures.
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Georgian poetry refers to a literary movement that emerged during the reign of King George V in Britain from 1910 to 1936
Traditional Forms and Romantic Imagery
The "Georgian Poetry" anthologies, published from 1911 to 1922, gathered the works of poets who favored traditional forms and romantic imagery
Notable Poets of the Movement
Poets such as Robert Graves, Siegfried Sassoon, D.H. Lawrence, and Edmund Blunden were featured in the "Georgian Poetry" anthologies
Georgian poetry is known for its formal structure, use of romanticism, and tendency towards sentimentality, often evoking a nostalgic longing for a simpler and more innocent era
The backdrop of the First World War, political ideologies, and independence movements in British colonies all influenced the themes explored by Georgian poets
Georgian poets were deeply influenced by the Romantic movement, exhibiting a deep appreciation for nature and exploring themes of love, beauty, and human emotion
The commitment to formal poetic structures, such as established meters and rhyme patterns, was seen as a way to maintain the integrity of poetry amidst evolving literary styles
Robert Graves, a World War I veteran and professor of poetry at Oxford, is celebrated for his rhythmic verse and exploration of love
Edmund Blunden drew inspiration from his experiences in Asia and his military service, which he chronicled in his memoir "Undertones of War."
Walter de la Mare, known for his contributions to children's literature, was also acclaimed for his enigmatic poem "The Listeners."
The "Georgian Poetry" anthologies sought to democratize poetry for the reading public, featuring works that exemplify the movement's embrace of traditional forms and themes
The enduring influence of Georgian poetry is seen in its counterpoint to the Modernist wave that would soon dominate the literary domain