Alexander Pope

Though critical opinion on Alexander Pope has frequently been divided, he is now regarded as the most important poet of the early eighteenth century. An invalid from infancy, he devoted his energies towards literature and achieved remarkable success with his first published work at the age of twenty-one. A succession of brilliant poems followed, including An Essay on Criticism (1711), Windsor Forest (1715), and his masterpiece, The Rape of the Lock. A second period of great poetry was begun in 1728 with the appearance of the first Dunciad. All these works--which exhibit Pope's astonishing human insight, his wide sympathies, and powers of social observation (displayed to greatest effect in his talent for satire)--are included in this selection of his poetry. It has been compiled by the distinguished Pope scholar and editor Pat Rodgers, who also provides an indispensable introduction that offers a new interpretation of Pope's poetry, and the philosophical ideas behind it. 'Good notes, especially on esoteric terms, concepts, [and] items endemic to the 18th century.'--Mary Norton, Western Carolina University 'This is an excellent classroom text for a course in major 18th century poets. I would not hesitate to use it or recommend it to others.'--Robert D. Spector, Long Island University 'An absorbing and erudite study.'--John Marillo, North Carolina State University 'The cleanest text of all Pope anthologies combined with the most helpful notes make this the most accessible collection of Pope's poems available to students.'--Jerome Donne, University of Central Florida

POPE: POEMS

Alexander Pope was, at one time, the world's most celebrated poet. His trenchant satirical works - in which the foibles of all the critics, hacks and bad poets of his day are exploded - and his masterful heroi-comic poem The Rape of the Lock continue to inspire generations of writers and readers to this day. Alongside his more prominent poetical production, Pope engaged with some of the sharpest wits of his era - including Jonathan Swift and John Gay, the author of The Beggar's Opera - in writing a number of satirical prose works, of which Scriblerus is perhaps the greatest achievement. As he prepares to become father for the fi rst time, the scholar Cornelius is determined to settle on nothing less than a child of the "learned sex" - a boy - and give him the most thorough education so that he can become the greatest critic who ever lived. An account of the birth, the infancy, the schooling, the diet-planning, the unconventional love affairs and the attainments of this child prodigy,The Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus is surely the funniest imaginary biography ever written.

Current publication reproduces "ideal" 1896 edition in which text, typography, and illustration complement each other. Ten great illustrations capture the mock-heroic, delicate fanc

Chesterton llamó a Alexander Pope el último poeta de la civilización. Marcado por la deformidad corporal y las enfermedades, que suplió con la excelencia del ingenio y el cultivo de la amistad, Pope encontro en la imitacion y la satira una forma de expresion que no ha sido superada en ese terreno. Traductor de Homero y editor de Shakespeare, Pope hizo de la literatura una forma de vivir. Practicamente inedito en español, esta edicion presenta a Alexander Pope como un autor que puede orientar al lector en un tiempo como el suyo de crisis y corrupcion moral y economica que, sin embargo, no puede someter a los espiritus como el suyo nobles e independientes.