Andrew Marvell by A.C. Benson (1905)
1. Early Life: Marvell was born in Winestead, Yorkshire, England, to a Catholic family. His father was a lawyer who died when Marvell was a child, leaving his mother to raise him. 2. Education: Marvell studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became interested in poetry and literature. 3. Career: Marvell began his literary career as a tutor and translator before becoming a member of Parliament for Hull in 1659. He was known for his wit and satire, often using humor to criticize the political and social issues of his time. 4. Major Works: Some of Marvell's most famous poems include "To His Coy Mistress," "The Definition of Love," and "An Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland." 5. Influence: Marvell's poetry has had a significant impact on English literature, influencing writers such as John Donne and Alexander Pope. His use of metaphor, imagery, and satire continues to inspire poets and readers today. 6. Personal Life: Marvell married a young woman named Mary Doughty in 1650, but little is known about their personal life due to the lack of surviving documents. 7. Death: Marvell died on August 16, 1678, after serving as a member of Parliament for over 20 years. His legacy has endured, and he remains one of the most celebrated poets in English literature.
By A.C. Benson · First published 1905 · Genre: Biography, Literary Criticism, Non-fiction · 7,751 words
First lines
Few poets are of sufficiently tough and impenetrable fibre to be able with impunity to mix with public affairs. Even though the spring of their inspiration be like the fountain in the garden of grace, "drawn from the brain of the purple mountain that stands in the distance yonder," that stream is apt to become sullied at the very source by the envious contact of the world. Poets conscious of their vocation have generally striven sedulously, by sequestering their lives somewhat austerely from the current of affairs, to cultivate the tranquillity and freshness on which the purity of their utterance depends. If it be hard to hear sermons and remain a Christian, it is harder to mix much with men and remain an idealist. And if this be true of commerce in its various forms, law, medicine, and even education, it seems to be still more fatally true of politics. Of course the temptation of politics to a philosophical mind is very great.
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Andrew Marvell is listed on Textopian as an essay by A.C. Benson, dated 1905 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: A.C. Benson
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Literary Criticism, Non-fiction, History
- Length: 7,751 words
- Structure: 1 section, 113 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Biography — The book 'Andrew Marvell' is a comprehensive biographical account of Andrew Marvell, the 17th century English metaphysical poet and politician. Thus, it fits aptly under the Biography genre.
- Literary Criticism — A.C. Benson not only explores Marvell's life but also delves into the analysis of his poetical works and political writings, relating them to his life's experiences. Therefore, Literary Criticism is quite relevant.
- Non-fiction — The book is based on historical facts and real life events of Andrew Marvell, making it a work of Non-fiction.
- History — The book addresses the life of Andrew Marvell against the backdrop of the historical period he lived in, including the Restoration era, thus the genre of History is appropriate.
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