James I

Charles I

17th Century BackgroundThe Stuart Kings

Reigned after Queen Elizabeth

What they lacked in politicalastuteness, they made up forin elegance and sophisticatedrefinement of their courts andthe allegiance they drew from the lords of the land.

Young gallants gathered around court where royalpatronage of the arts wasencouraged.

Brilliant classicist, versatile playwright, andcomposer of court masques.

Literary Leader of the TimeBen Jonson

Insisted on craftsmanship as a hallmark ofgreat poetry.

Followed the Greek concept of poet as maker, honed his own lyrics to classical perfection.

Later accused by critics for lack of spontaneity andoriginality.

Andrew Marvell

Son of a Puritan clergyman.

Went on to Cambridge University.

Gifted in languages, became a tutor tothe daughter of the Lord General of Oliver Cromwell.

Later became an assistant to John Milton, thefamous Puritan poet who wrote Paradise Lost.

Distinction in Marvell’sCavalier Poetry

Tone is often light and witty, even playful.

Prefers the four-beat line in couplet and quatrainto the uneven cadence and irregular stanza of theMetaphysicals.

Wonderful way of presenting extraordinary experiences frommove than one perspective—making us see the strangeness in things we are likely to take for granted.

Robert Herrick Most loyal member of the “tribe of Ben.” After college at Cambridge, he returned to London to

live the enjoyable life of fraternizing with Jonson and his circle.

Left London to live the life of a country parson; however, his poems suggest that he lived in his imagination the witty, urban social existence of the Old Devil Inn.

Published poems under two titles: Hesperides for the secular poems and Noble Numbers for religious ones.

Herrick’s Poetry

Inspired by the love of Roman Horace.

Were meticulous and musical, but used also the carpe diem ( seize the day) philosophy

Would take a light, whimsical subject andarticulate his response with warmth andsureness of touch.

The poems give us that special pleasure of contemplating the small thing done well.

Sir John Suckling

Before the Civil War between the Royalists and the Puritans, Suckling was already notorious at the court of Charles Ias a gambler and a rake.

When war broke out, raised an army to defend the Royalist’s cause. Also, tookpart in an effort to rescue the Royalist leaderin the Tower of London.

Was caught and had to flee England; died in Paris, neglected and deprived of great wealth he had once possessed.

Richard Lovelace

From wealthy Kentish family.

Became a favorite courtier under King Charles.

Like Suckling, he lost all his wealth andland during the turbulent period.

The poems of these two epitomize what we considerCavalier manner: witty, charming, graceful, showingtheir discipleship of Ben Jonson.

Their poems are always concerned with the passing of time.