Cromwell: A Prize Poem (1863)

By Arnold Matthew 1822-1888 and Matthew Arnold

Book Overview

Cromwell: A Prize Poem is a historical poem written by the Victorian poet and critic, Matthew Arnold. The poem was first published in 1863 and won the Newdigate Prize, a prestigious award given annually to the best poem written by an undergraduate student at Oxford University.The poem is a tribute to Oliver Cromwell, the 17th-century English military and political leader who played a key role in the English Civil War and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England. Arnold's poem celebrates Cromwell as a hero and a champion of liberty and democracy, but also acknowledges his flaws and contradictions.The poem is divided into four parts, each exploring a different aspect of Cromwell's life and legacy. The first part describes Cromwell's early years as a farmer and his conversion to Puritanism. The second part focuses on Cromwell's military campaigns and his role in the English Civil War. The third part explores Cromwell's political career and his establishment of the Commonwealth. The final part reflects on Cromwell's death and his legacy as a controversial and divisive figure in English history.Throughout the poem, Arnold uses vivid and powerful language to evoke the drama and turbulence of Cromwell's life and times. He also draws on a range of literary and historical sources to create a nuanced and complex portrait of Cromwell, one that acknowledges both his achievements and his flaws.Overall, Cromwell: A Prize Poem is a masterful work of historical poetry that captures the spirit of a pivotal moment in English history and pays tribute to one of its most fascinating and controversial figures.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1164615289
• ISBN13: 9781164615286
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 20 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 11.0"