A Compendium to Poetry, Its Origin, Nature, and History

Where did poetry begin, and how did it come to shape the way we think, feel, and speak? In this lucid nineteenth-century compendium, Frederick A. Hoffmann traces the origin of poetry from its earliest ritual and song to the highly patterned art of his own Victorian age, offering a clear, steady guide through centuries of verse. Poetry began long before print. With the calm confidence of a teacher and the curiosity of a critic, Hoffmann explores the nature of poetic inspiration, the evolution of verse forms, and the theory of poetic art that distinguishes true poetry from mere rhyme, creating a classic poetry handbook that doubles as an introduction to classical poetry and to the broader history of English literature. Both poetry students and general readers will find in this poetry history guide a dependable literary criticism reference: clear definitions, thoughtful comparisons, and a panoramic sense of how different ages understood the poet's role. As a reference for poetry teachers and a compact poetry students textbook, it sits naturally beside other works in Victorian era literary studies and nineteenth century poetics, illuminating debates that still echo in modern classrooms and seminars and capturing a formative moment in the history of English criticism. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions, this volume is restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure for anyone who values historic criticism, careful scholarship, and the enduring life of verse.