Sacred Wood and Major Early Essays (Eliot - paperback)

Author: T. S. Eliot

ISBN: 9780486299365

Binding: paperback

Section: Essays

Part of T. S. Eliot's lofty standing among 20th-century poets is directly attributable to his vast knowledge and deep appreciation of his literary predecessors. With the l920 publication of The Sacred Wood, Eliot defines the critic's role as one "to see literature steadily and to see it whole . . . not as consecrated by time, but to see the best work of our time and the best work of twenty-five hundred years ago with the same eyes." In addition to all of the essays in The Sacred Wood, this volume includes four features that originally appeared in The Times Literary Supplement: "Homage to John Dryden," "Poets on Poetry," "The Metaphysical Poets," and "Andrew Marvell." Taken together, these pieces offer remarkable insights into Eliot's ideas on poetry and poets, the nature and role of literature and drama, and the function of criticism.