Reading Boileau: An Integrative Study of the Early Satires

by Robert T. Corum

Overview

In French literary history Nicolas Boileau (1636-1711) has enjoyed legendary status as the great codifier of French classicism, the discerning critic who could demolish or elevate several generations of French poets. This view of Boileau's role has lead to an emphasis on his poetics, not his poems, which in turn has generated general disdain for his poetic art. Robert Corum dispels these misconceptions about Boileau by focusing rigorous critical attention on Boileau's first nine Satires and the accompanying "Discours au roy," composed between 1657 and 1668. His reading takes into account a number of factors, including sources, genesis, relation to one another, coherence, and continuity of argument. This examination reveals Boileau to be a gifted poet, not just a talented versifier or a strait-laced mouthpiece for French classical doctrine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557531100
Publisher:	Purdue University Press
Publication date:	12/01/1997
Series:	Purdue Studies in Romance Literatures , #15
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.25(w) x 9.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Robert T. Corum, Jr., has published Other Worlds and Other Seas: Art and Vision in Saint-Amant's Nature Poetry, a study of the poetry of Saint-Amant. As well as a study of the poetry of Saint-Amant, a critical edition of César de Nostredame's Les Perles ou les Larmes de la Saincte Magdeleine, and articles on Malherbe, Corneille, Théophile de Viau, Tristan l'Hermite, and Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin.

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From the Publisher

Kisch is one of Europe’s most interesting personalities – a superb reporter, raconteur, and linguist. His insatiable curiosity has led him into the remote corners of the earth.”

New York Times Book Review

New York Times Book Review

Analyzes Boileau's first nine and the accompanying , composed between 1657 and 1668, looking at factors including sources, genesis, relation to one another, coherence, and continuity of argument. This analysis reveals Boileau to be a gifted poet, not just a talented and acerbic versifier or a straitlaced mouthpiece for French classical doctrine. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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