Sir Walter Raleigh obviously didn't buy into the beauty of Kit Marlow's poem in the same way that I did. This satirical and deeply caustic poem can be read in two distinct ways. It is either the Nymph's rejection of the Shepherd due to her own fear of mortality and the transient nature of love … Continue reading The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd by Sir Walter Raleigh
Poetry
The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Kit Marlowe
Published in 1599 - 6 years after the controversial poet/playwright's death. One of the best known English language love poems; it has always impressed me with it's simplicity, idealism and romantic vision. Christopher Marlowe The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove … Continue reading The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Kit Marlowe
Leaving Certificate Poetry – John Keats
The second of the International poets that we studied was John Keats. Now, I'm a bit of a romantic myself, with just a touch of a maudlin streak so I settled comfortably and immersed myself in the following poems. After the tangled mess that is Longley, the dark deep undercurrents of Elizabeth Bishop and the … Continue reading Leaving Certificate Poetry – John Keats
The Day of the Wren
Happy St Stephen's Day...or Boxing Day (if you must). I hope you're all feeling rested after yesterday's celebrations and food! Back home (in Ireland), the 26th was historically celebrated as The Day of the Wren - Lá an Dreoilín. It is believed that this tradition emerged out of older Pagan or Druidic rituals, co-opted into … Continue reading The Day of the Wren
Leaving Certificate Poetry – Michael Longley
The second (of three) Irish poets studied during my Leaving Certificate was Michael Longley. This Northern Irish poet was utterly unknown to me before my final year at school. Of all the poems we read over and over and over again; these were the ones I struggled with the most. He manages to cram so … Continue reading Leaving Certificate Poetry – Michael Longley
A Level Poetry 1… UTTER FILTH
So we'd made it. Finally we'd made it to Sixth Form. What a revelation. Not only could we wear our own clothes (which quickly esatblished itself into a uniform of black jumper, blue jeans, thong (2001, innit) and black boots), not only could we smoke!, we also got to do the sex... I remember the … Continue reading A Level Poetry 1… UTTER FILTH
Leaving Certificate Poetry – William Shakespeare
Along with Eavan Boland, we also studied 6 sonnets by the Bard. I consider myself privileged in that I have always had a very positive relationship with William Shakespeare. My parents had surprised me with comic versions of Hamlet and Macbeth as a youngling. Surprisingly, these retained the majority of the language of the originals … Continue reading Leaving Certificate Poetry – William Shakespeare
GCSE Poetry
I loved AR's memories of her Leaving Cert poetry last week, and it got me thinking about the dreaded English Lit Anthology I lugged about for the two years of my GCSEs. At the time, I wasn't the biggest poetry fan in the world-I loved talking about it in class, and finding hidden meanings within … Continue reading GCSE Poetry
Leaving Certificate Poetry – Eavan Boland
A long long time ago (I can still remember...*ahem*) I had to study a number of poems for my Leaving Certificate (read A Level equivalents) examinations. Up until this point; I had enjoyed poetry but rarely read it for fun, preferring somewhat easier and more accessible fiction (utterly buying into the myth that poetry was … Continue reading Leaving Certificate Poetry – Eavan Boland
Armistice Day – Lest We Forget. Two Poems
Often recited for Armistice or Remembrance Day; this poem - and particularly the highlighted stanzas - provide a tribute to all the causalities of war - regardless of state. For The Fallen - Ode To Remembrance With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh … Continue reading Armistice Day – Lest We Forget. Two Poems
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