Cademon (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Denise Levertov
- First Published: 1987
- Type of Work: Poem
- Genres: Poetry, Mythological literature
- Subjects: Self-discovery, Poetry or poets, Creative process
Denise Levertov's own footnote for this poem tells the reader that the plot of “Cademon” comes from the History of the English Church and People (731), by Saint Bede the Venerable, the first known British Christian poet. That information tells readers that the historical analog of “Cademon” is the story of an illiterate stable hand who received a divine call to sing in praise of God.
Even armed with that knowledge, readers may find that the tight line and verse structure of “Cademon” obviates simple readings of the poem. It is reminiscent, perhaps, of the...
[The entire page is 515 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
See Also
