Robert Herrick, Hesperides

Glyn Pursglove (Swansea University)
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Hesperides: Or, The Works Both Humane & Divine of Robert Herrick Esq.

is unusual amongst the published collections of the lyrical poets of the Jacobean and Caroline periods. Where most such collections were published posthumously, Herrick's was published under the direct supervision of the author, and it is clear that Herrick thought of the volume (his only substantial publication) as his poetic testament, a summation of his work as a poet. Relatively few poems by Herrick, other than those he chose to include in

Hesperides

have been discovered. To a degree unusual amongst his contemporaries,

Hesperides

“represents” Herrick's achievement as a poet in much the way that the “Collected Poems” of a modern poet does, collecting together the work by which the poet wishes to be remembered…

1237 words

Citation: Pursglove, Glyn. "Hesperides". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 October 2000 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4769, accessed 19 March 2024.]

4769 Hesperides 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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