Genre Studies- Unit- II Cavalier Poets

Unit- II

 Cavalier Poets

• A group of English poets of 17th Century who supported King Charles I during the English civil war. They stood loyal to him and were ready to sail and sink with him in times o good as well as bad.

• They were influenced by Ben Jonson. Therefore known as "Sons of Ben" or "Tribes of Ben".

• They wrote largely on the themes of love and war. Cavalier Poets primary purpose was to entertain not like metaphysical who chose to instruct rather than entertain.

• They wrote lyric poems that celebrate courtly themes of beauty, love, nature, sensuality good fellowship, honor, and social life. In many ways, this poetry embodies an attitude that mirrors "carpe diem".They concentrated on the pleasures of the moment and material life.

• They wrote short lyrical poems but did not like sonnets.

• The intent of their work was often to promot crown. Most of the cavalier Poets were courtiers, but Robert Herrick was not a courtier but his style makes him as a cavalier Poet.

• They were writing for Aristocrat life who was writing for upper class society for kings.

• These poets were persecuted during the puritan ascendency.

Authors and their works

Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins,to make much of time", " Hesperides".

Richard Lovelace's " To Althea, from Prison", "To  Lucasta"

Thomas Carew's " An Elegie upon the death of the Deane of Paul's, Dr. John Donne"

Sir John Suckling