Samuel Rogers Criticism
Samuel Rogers (1763-1855) was an English poet who, during his lifetime, was celebrated for his refined and elegant poetry. He was a central figure in London's literary circles and known for his art collection and sharp wit. Despite being admired by luminaries like Wordsworth and Byron, Rogers's reputation has not endured, with many modern critics deeming his work as lacking vitality and personal truth. As The Man and the Poet suggests, Rogers's poetry, while polished, fails to capture the essence of true poetry.
Born into a wealthy family in Newington Green, Rogers was inspired by poets Gray, Goldsmith, and Dryden. His early career was in banking, but he eventually devoted himself to poetry, achieving initial acclaim with The Pleasures of Memory in 1792, a work noted for its elegance and polish, as highlighted in Early Writings. His major works include The Pleasures of Memory and Italy, the latter gaining popularity through its lavish illustrations.
Rogers's work straddled the Augustan, Romantic, and Victorian periods, retaining a preference for the Augustan style. However, his poetry is often criticized for its lack of innovation, as noted by The Last Augustan. Despite his initial fame, Rogers was eventually overshadowed by Romantic poets, with critics like Morchard Bishop asserting that his poetry "is dead beyond much hope of resurrection." A reevaluation by Avery F. Gaskins challenges the view of Rogers's static style, suggesting a more nuanced appreciation of his work.
Contents
- Principal Works
-
Essays
-
Early Writings
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Clayden examines some of Rogers's earliest works and quotes from some favorable early reviews and comments.
-
The Man and the Poet
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Roberts reviews Rogers's major poems, arguing that while Rogers' poetry is careful and smooth, it lacks life and personal truth, distinguishing accomplished verse from real poetry.
-
Introduction to Recollections of the Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Bishop, finding little of merit within Rogers's work, discusses the author's popularity, stating that Rogers is not a figure of importance and that his poetry is dead beyond much hope of resurrection.
-
Samuel Rogers: The Last Augustan
(summary)
In the following essay, Watson discusses the sentimentality in Rogers's Augustan verse.
-
Samuel Rogers: A Revaluation
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Avery discusses Rogers's poetic development, countering the popular opinion that Rogers's style remained static.
-
Climbing Parnassus, and Falling Off
(summary)
In the following essay, Murphy examines why Rogers's work is considered 'boring' by many critics by comparing Rogers's The Pleasures of Memory with Wordworth's 'An Evening Walk'.
-
Early Writings
(summary)
- Further Reading