The Contemporary Study of Eighteenth‐Century Poetry

Abstract This article is a descriptive summary of critical views of eighteenth‐century poetry, from the 1950s to the present. It looks at general surveys of poetry of the period from 1700 to 1790, as well as the most influential criticism of specific poets. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather an introduction to major trends and approaches, and to offer some descriptions of criticism of all significant poets. After an initial introduction, it is organised according to the following categories: Pope and the Scriblerians, the long poem, the mid‐century and poetry near the close of the century.