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Home » poetry

The 5 Most Famous Poems in the History of Literature

February 20, 2017 By Theresa Carrion Leave a Comment

When it comes to poetry and choosing the most famous poems in the history of literature, we might face the impossible task of bringing to an agreement thousands of critics and literature historians, together with millions of pages dedicated to the subject. However, listing the most famous poems as deemed by some of the most enlightened minds of the Society of Classical Poets after comparing them to the popularity rankings offered by the public, is not such a difficult endeavor. After a careful selection, thus, we were able to highlight five most famous poems in history. Keep in mind that we won’t categorize them into “short poems”, “love poems” or “English poems about life” sub-classes, but offer you a more general view on those poems we all should read, feel and live by.

Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

A love poem at a first glance, Sonnet 18 is, in fact, a testament of the author’s views on life, death, decay and passing of the human spirit. The ethereal realm of poetry and beauty has never been so subtly, yet eloquently, analyzed as it has been in this true masterpiece. A firm believer that poetry itself can grant eternal life to a person because poetry itself is eternal, Shakespeare seems to have encompassed in this short poem the quintessence of love, splendor, and artistic expression.

2. If by Rudyard Kipling

While we mostly know Kipling for The Jungle Book, the writer was a master of poetry and If proves this beyond a doubt. One of the most powerful statements of what means to be a good, strong and beautiful human, If is a poem we all should live by and take to our hearts in our attempt of becoming better people. The poem’s message keeps its validity throughout all generations, being a beacon of light, hope and powerful teachings for all mankind.

3. A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe

All Edgar Allan Poe poems and stories have double and triple meanings. They are masterpieces of layered imagery, messages, feelings, spirituality, and beauty. A Dream Within a Dream, among others, is perhaps the best example that the author was a genius of mixing the pure beauty of poetry with an intrinsic and sometimes baffling psychological and philosophical web of concepts and meanings.

4. On His Blindness by John Milton

Short, but extremely powerful to this day, On His Blindness deals with one’s limitations in life, being inspired by Milton’s personal story of losing his eyesight. What makes this poem, however, a wonder of literature is the underlying message that one can transcend personal shortcomings and misery through understanding the powers of the divine and embracing the order and mystery of the universe. While emphasizing on a disability, Milton’s poem is in fact about the human spirit finding purpose and hope despite all obstacles.

5. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas

If you remember the famous Dangerous Minds movie and the “Dylan – Dylan” competition, one might find interesting the fact that Bob Dylan was awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. However, poetry experts and critics still believe that Dylan Thomas is probably one of the greatest poets that have ever lived and written, in all the world, in all the languages. As subjective as this opinion may be, one cannot deny that Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night is still one of the best, most haunting, most powerful and most meaningful of poems ever written. An elegy to his dying father, the poem stood the test of time and the numerous changes in cultural perspectives and tastes, being still considered a work of art. Using unusual words, like “spindrift” and creating complex emotions with the use of just words, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night still gives you shivers down your spine no matter your age or past life experiences.

What are your favorite most famous poems on this list or in the history of literature? Do you have others that speak to your heart?

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Filed Under: art Tagged With: great literature, poetry, poets

Great movies about poets that you should see

May 2, 2014 By Fred Mitchell Leave a Comment

If we’re recently shared with you a list of great movie portrayals of fictional detectives, today is the turn of the best movies about poets and poetry-writing. Some of the poets whose stories are presented here are very real historical people, albeit their story is modified to a lesser o greater extent to make a better movie, or, in other cases, the characters presented in them haven’t existed altogether. The lure of poetry as an ancient art hasn’t faded even in contemporary times when the image seems to have replaced the word in importance, and movies about poets and poetry continue to possess that je ne sais quoi many of enjoy. You may be more prone to love these if you’re a teenager, or a junior letters student, or a middle aged literature teacher for an elementary school of kids that don’t seem to get you, but we promise they’re nice to watch even if you don’t fit any of those categories.

1. Dead Poets Society (1989)

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The movie of my childhood and still one of the best movies about poets ever to be made. It features the brilliant Robin Williams, a very young Robert Sean Leonard (who later played Dr. Wilson in the Dr. House TV series) and the best kind of teaching atmosphere any student and (open-minded) teacher could wish for. No more to say other than that: this first entry is also the best.

2. Bright Star (2009)

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The final three years in the life of John Keats and his relationship with Fanny Browne are explored in this romantic-toned movie. The title is inspired of a famous poem Keats wrote for her, named “Bright star, would I were I as steadfast as thou art”, while many of their love letters served as sources for the script. It sounds very cheese, but the list of great movies about poets wouldn’t be complete without it.

3. The Raven (2012)

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This wonderfully esthetic movie explores the final days of the poet Edgar Allen Poe (whose historic circumstances of death are still a mystery) as he attempts to discover the killer behind a series of murders and to save the angelic woman he loves. In a way, the poet doubles as a sort-of Sherlock figure throughout the movie, but it’s an interesting twist that seems very natural. The story is completely made up, of course, but John Cusack plays magnificently and the atmosphere is so dark and goth and poetic, while the themes and many of the characters are inspired from the work of the actual poet and writer, that it makes this piece a must-see.

4. Howl (2010)

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Howl is a somewhat controversial movie, or, better said, a movie which means to explore the life of a rather controversial poet: Allen Ginsberg. It stars James Franco in the lead role and it focuses on the American author’s Six Gallery Debut and his 1957 obscenity trial. The poet was sued in that public obscenity trial for his poem “Howl” that alludes to some drug use and homosexual practices, and that historic moment is considered an important milestone in the battle for free speech.

5. The Edge of Love (2008)

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Since not all things pertaining to the society of poets (and writers in general) are all that nice and dreamy, this movie explores the somewhat darker and turbulent side of things. Without being overly disrespectful, the movie explores the life and relationships of the poet Dylan Thomas and the harmful effects of his personality on the life of his friends and close ones. A good secondary reason to watch it is because Keira Knightley is as hot and intriguing as usual in this film.

6. Kill Your Darlings (2013)

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Another movie in which Allen Ginsberg appears as a character, Kill Your Darlings is about the early members of the Beat Generation and their friendships and interactions. Not only is this a watch that will make you think about how all changes and yet all remains the same in the youth culture, but it’s also a must-see as it marks the re-debut of Daniel Radcliffe in a non-Harry Potter movie.

Filed Under: movies Tagged With: movies about poets, poetry, writers

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