Mary Sidney Herbert | The Mother of English Devotional Poetry

Mary Sidney Herbert is one of the canon’s best kept-secrets-a lyrical genius to whom so many poets owe a debt of gratitude, not least of all John Donne, George Herbert, Thomas Traherne, and many others.
In this lecture, I’d like to discuss two aspects:
1) her lyrical mastery and ingenuity;
2) and her lyrical levity, or (for perhaps a better word) her "playfulness."
I’ll conclude by reflecting upon her contribution to English poetry more broadly.

[@Khatoon170]

Thank you mr Adam for your wonderful cultural literary channel. I gathered main information about famous figure you mentioned briefly here it’s Mary Sidney Herbert known as countess of pembroke she is one or most influential literary figures of renaissance era and pioneer woman writer during late 16 th and early 17 th centuries ( 1561- 1621) . She was among first English woman gain notice for her poetry and her literary patronage by age 39 , she was listed with her brother Philip Sidney and with Edmund Spenser and Shakespeare among notable authors of day in John bodenham verse miscellany Belvedere . Her play Antonius is widely seen as reviving interest soliloquy based on classical models and as likely source of samuel Daniel closet drama cleopatra and Shakespeare Antony and cleopatra. She was known for her translations Petrarch ( triumph of death ) and above all poetry anthology triumph , above all for lyrical , metrical translation of psalms . Lyrical refers to style of writing expressive , emotional often characterized by poetic or musical, emphasizes beauty, vivid imagery. Ingenuity means skill or cleverness in devising or combing . Levity is lack of seriousness often at improper time . Thank you for your you for giving us chance to read learn new information and improve our English as well .

[@wildsonnets]

Wonderful lecture and introduction to a poet who is often overlooked in surveys of the period. Thank you so much for sharing this. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@WilliamBlakePoetry]

So glad to heave found this channel; Mary Sidney is a favourite of mine, and it is so rare to hear people sing her praises! Thank you

[@claramai4647]

Fantastic in depth analysis of her poetry! Thank you so much - learnt a lot! 🙏

[@mohamedyusuf4777]

Keep up the good work.

[@pradeeppandey7228]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mohamedyusuf4777]

I hope George Herbert gets a video dedicated to him.

[@9figuresking882]

hello, Peter Parker-looking dude!! I have not read much poetry but I found your channel today, so want to read more. I only have read a few poems by Sylvia Plath & Mary Oliver as my go-to poetess. what would you recommend for a beginner :)

[@closereadingpoetry]

Those are good poets. You should also try Elizabeth Bishop and Marianne Moore

[@9figuresking882]

@@closereadingpoetry Thanks, Peter!! I'll give it a go & ask around at my fav second-hand bookshop this evening if they have these writers :)

[@danila__fi]

«Whose sum is such
No sum so much» Interesting how their contemporary rationalist mathematical way of thinking makes its way here. “(God is) Sum of all perfections” in Descartes

[@closereadingpoetry]

This is a great connection!