The best Nature Poetry Of Classical Poets
Key points:
- Definition of nature poetry.
- Introduction of classical age of poetry.
- Biography of best English poets of nature of classical age.
- Some famous nature poems of classical age.
- Explanation of imagery and metaphor used in poems.
- Conclusion.
What is nature?
Nature is all about God’s creation, everything in the world that is physical, that is not created by man like plants, animals, mountains, rivers, ocean, etc. It includes all living and nonliving things. It also includes weather and seasons. It has been defined in various ways.
According to Merriam- Webster Dictionary,
“Nature is a creative and controlling force in the universe.”
This definition was taken from the Merriam Webster Dictionary.
The most important thing about nature is its infinite variety, and its diversity is an amazing source of wonder and beauty. Its beauty is a kind of treasure. It gives a kind of joy to a man.
What is nature Poetry?
Poetry that deals with the nature, natural world and exploring themes. Nature poetry makes discussion on seasons and weathers. Nature poetry becomes a great source of joy and peace for its use of imagery. Use of symbolism is a main key of nature poetry to create a live effect on the mind of the reader.
Its focus on imagery, metaphor and symbolism is inspired by:
- Landscapes: The use of Mountains, forests, rivers, oceans and seasons in poetry makes this kind of poetry more appealing and a source of comfort for the audience.
- Wildlife: Animals, birds, insects, etc, all these play a great role in the nature poetry.
- Weather: It includes climate, sunlight, moonlight, storms and atmospheric conditions.
- Plants: Plants, trees and gardens all are a great source of pleasure which are used in the nature poems.
- Elements: Earth, air, water, fire and all forces of nature are also forces of nature poems.
Indeed nature is vast and poetry roams in this vast world to pick its pleasuring components then it provides to the audience to enhance enjoyment. This article aims to draw out the best nature poetry of classical poets. Let’s come to know about classical age.
Classical Age Of Poetry
Classical age is considered the age of poetic rise. It is the period of ancient Greece and Rome when poetry reached its peak of excellence and perfection. Time period of this age is 5th century (around 500 BCE to 100 CE). During this period, great thinkers shared their ideas, amazing art and architecture were created, wonderful writers and poets wrote famous works, theater and performance became popular and important values like reason,beauty, and balance were emphasized.
This period was too much special because it:
- Set the stage the stage for western culture and civilization.
- Inspired many writers and poets and produced many great artist and thinkers, hence classical age gave the rise to the poetry.
- Created a foundation for modern art, literature and philosophy.
In simple words, classical age was the age of progress, it was the time of creativity, many innovations came into existence in the classical age. That was the age of great poets.
The work of classical age was a kind of foundation for western literary traditions. In fact, the work of the poet of next centuries like John Milton and Alexander Pop was inspired by the work of classical age.
Geoffrey Chaucer was best known poet for the Canterbury Tales. He was called the father of poetry for his great work. If we talk about Classical age, Homer is considered the father of poetry. He was a Greek poet and was famous for the composition of the epic poems. “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” are the most beautiful compositions of Homer.
Nature was also a great asset of poetry in the classical age of poetry. Many great poets of classical age wrote about vast nature to enhance the effect of poetry.
Greek Poets:
Hesiod
Theocritus
Bion Of Smyrna
Roman Poets:
Virgil
Lucretius
Ovid
All poets did amazing job but let’s find out the best nature poetry of classical poets.
Hesiod.
Is the great poet of nature of classical age who wrote about natural world and changing seasons. his time period was (c.750-650 BCE). He was from the category of Greek Poets. Hesiod is considered the father of the nature poetry in the classical age. His poetry works, such as “Theogony ” and “Works and Days” are filled with vivid description, and making him a pioneer of the nature poetry.
” Works and days ” is a beautiful poem written by him
” When the Pleiades, daughter of Atlas, begin
To set and the Hyades, and the strength of orion
Fades, then it’s time to plough, and the oxen’s might,
Is indeed, and the share to break the earth’s crust.
For forty days and forty nights, the earth is barren
And the mortal men who dwell upon it are feeble.
But when the sixty days of winter are gone,
And the days grow longer and the force of the sun
Returns, that the earth is fertile, and the trees bud
And the ships sail forth, and the fields are tilled.”
( Taken from https://monoskop.org)
This is the famous poem about nature written by Hesiod, This poem beautifully describes the changing seasons and importance of seasons for agriculture and the cyclical nature of life.
Imagery And Symbolism:
- Agricultural cycles: It describes the changing seasons, planting and human labor.
- Natural phenomena: The description of sun, moon, stars and weather beautifies the poem.
- Animals and insects: Animals and insects are used as imagery to create a capturing effect.
- Landscapes and Geography: Landscape like mountains, rivers and oceans is highlighting the relationship between human life and the natural environment.
Symbols:
- The earth: Represents fertility.
- The plough: Symbolizes agricultural, hard work, etc.
- The season: Represents the cycle of life and death.
- The oak tree: Represents strength.
- The iron race: Symbolizes the hardships and struggle of human.
Hesiod composed a rich and beautiful poem by using these imagery and symbols that explores the relationship and interconnection between human and natural world.
Theocritus:
Theocritus is on the 2nd number among the nature poets of classical age. Theocritus also was the Greek poet who wrote about nature in the Classical age. He was known for his idyllic poems. His work was about rural life. His time period was (c. 300-260 BCE). Here are some lines from his poem “Idyll 1: The Death Of Daphnis”
” The Pine trees whisper to the breeze,
And the breeze whispers back to the pine trees.
The fountains babble, and the birds sing sweet,
In the verdant valley, where the wild things meet.
The cicadas chirp, and the crickets trill,
In the green woods, where the nymphs dance still.
The sheep gaze on, with gentle lowing sounds,
In the lush meadows, where the wild flowers abound.
The sun shines bright, with warm and golden light,
On the hills and valleys, in the peaceful night.
The world is full of beauty, and the heart is free,
In the sweet solitude, of nature’s glee.”
Taken from ( https://www.best-poems.net)
This is a beautiful piece of his work, he wrote about a relationship between humans and nature. He tactically explained the beauty of nature in the world. This is idyllic poem, poems of like this create a sense of serenity and harmony with the environment.
Imagery And Symbolism:
It is enriched with imagery.
Whispering Pine Trees:
It evokes a sense of gentle sound and soothing conversation between nature and the breeze. Through this technique poem becomes more appealing.
Babbling Fountains:
It creates a sense of flowing water and add the beauty of poem.
Birds Singing Sweet:
It adds melodic element and introduces the harmony between nature and sound. It is the most beautiful imagery that is producing a sweet music in the reading.
Green Woods:
It is producing thriving natural environment.
Sun Shining Bright:
It represents warmth, light and life.
Symbols are pine trees, fountains, birds green woods and sun. By combining images and symbols creates a rich tapestry of natural beauty.
Conclusion:
Nature Poetry is a powerful technique to enhance the effect of poetry on the reader by capturing images in the mind of the reader and use of symbols creates an atmosphere where reader finds himself relaxed. This study successfully touched the main point that was the best nature poetry of the classical poets. Classical age is the time period when writing found a strong grip and poetry touched the climax. Nature poetry at that time played a great role whose father was Hesiod, who wrote many beautiful pieces in which his poem “Works and Days” earned more fame because of enriched with imagery and symbols. Theocritus is also a nature poet of the classical age whose poetry is also burdened with imagery and symbols.
Enjoy reading of this one,https://poetlenses.com/at-once/
# poems # nature # classical age # imagery # symbolism