18th Century Poems

The 18th century English literature saw a rise in satirical works as well as the development of Romanticism at the end of the century. Most poets from the earlier period such as Alexander Pope, John Dryden, Samuel Johnson, and Jonathan Swift wrote satirical poems.

The end of the 18th century was a new beginning of English literature. Poets moved away from the ideals of the past and focused more on the democratization of literature.

The main poets of this movement include William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Wordsworth and Coleridge’s influential collection Lyrical Ballads published in 1798 marked the beginning of English Romanticism.

The Tables Turned

by William Wordsworth

In ‘The Tables Turned,’ Wordsworth invites us to break free from the constraints of modern society and rediscover the natural world’s beauty and wisdom.

While this is a powerful poem, with great uses of metaphor, personification, parallelism, etc., the poem itself is not unique or representative enough of the century. While well written, its structure is simple, and while its theme is ironic, that uniqueness does not win it a higher score. Overall the poem is well crafted, but other poems incur further achievement and praise.

From The Complaints of Poverty

by Nicholas James

‘The Complaints of Poverty’ by Nicholas James uses rhetorical devices and rhyme to give the rich a good look at how unpleasant it is to be poor. James indirectly challenges the stigmas associated with both wealth and poverty, inviting the rich to treat poor people with compassion, sympathy, and generosity.

'The Complaints of Poverty' has been a source of poetic inspiration for hundreds of years now. However, it is still an excellent example of how poetry was primarily for wealthy people in the 18th century, as few poor people had the interest or means to study and write poems. Likewise, it offers a vivid depiction of what it was like to be poor back then.

The Complaints of the Poor

by Robert Southey

‘The Complaints of the Poor’ by Robert Southey takes place in a city, likely London, and describes the desperate measures poverty drives people to. 

A great 18th century poem but not one of the better ones from this period.

A Cradle Song

by William Blake

After one and a half months of painful journey of hospitals, due to my son’s illness, I decided to read and analyze William Blake’s ‘A Cradle Song.’ Though I had read this poem during my graduation days, it touched me today when I experienced the same pain as a mother and a father.

A Dream

by William Blake

‘A Dream’ by William Blake paints a compassionate and thoughtful picture of the natural world through the personified story of an ant.

A Hymn to the Evening

by Phillis Wheatley

‘A Hymn to the Evening’ by Phillis Wheatley describes a speaker’s desire to take on the glow of evening so that she may show her love for God.

A Poison Tree

by William Blake

The poem ‘A Poison Tree,’ published in the year 1794, is one of the most wonderful and appreciated works of poetry by William Blake.

A Poppy Blooms

by Katsushika Hokusai

‘A Poppy Blooms’ by Katsushika Hokusai is a thoughtful poem about writing. The poet uses a metaphor to depict how his process works.

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

‘A Red, Red Rose’ by Robert Burns is a poem that is in the ballad formation of four-line stanzas with ABBA rhyme schemes.

A Woman to Her Lover

by Christina Walsh

‘A Woman to Her Lover’ goes over the requirements a “wakened” woman will have for her lover. She must be his equal in all aspect of their lives together.

Ae Fond Kiss

by Robert Burns

‘Ae Fond Kiss’ by Robert Burns tells of the unfortunate parting of two lovers, and a speaker’s depression over the many parts of his life he is losing.

Auld Lang Syne

by Robert Burns

‘Auld Lang Syne’ is a poem that addresses old acquaintances and the memories associated with them at the end of a year. It is a famous poem that is sung all across the world.

Epitaph on a Hare

by William Cowper

‘Epitaph on a Hare’ by William Cowper describes the relationship between a pet hare and his owner who loved him unconditionally. 

Evening

by Friedrich Schiller 

‘Evening’ by Friedrich Schiller contains a speaker’s plea to Apollo that he allow the sun to set and rest, and love to descend.

Expostulation and Reply

by William Wordsworth

‘Expostulation and Reply’ a ballad, written by William Wordsworth, tells the story of Matthew, dissuading the speaker (William) from idling away his precious time in “wise passiveness” or simply daydreaming.

Fee-fi-fo-fum

by Anonymous

‘Fee-fi-fo-fum’ is a well-known chant from the story of “Jack the Giant Killer.” Dating back to at least the early 1700s, the compelling and entertaining story tells of a young boy’s daring feats and his bravery.

Here we go round the mulberry bush

by Anonymous

‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ was first recorded in the mid-nineteenth century by James Orchard Halliwell. It was noted, as a great deal of nursery rhymes were, as a children’s game.

Holy Thursday (Songs of Experience)

by William Blake

‘Holy Thursday’ by William Blake depicts the poor children of London attending church on Holy Thursday. Specifically, Blake describes their songs, appearance, and how their existence challenges the message the church is trying to convey.

Live Your Life

by Chief Tecumseh

‘Live Your Life’ by Chief Tecumseh is an easy-to-read and powerful poem. It was written with the intention of sharing the poet’s beliefs about how to live life and embrace death without fear.

London

by Samuel Johnson

To look back at a nation’s history from a poet’s perspective is an enriching exercise that enlightens modern readers regarding the follies and foibles of the age. Samuel Johnson’s ‘London’ is one such piece that throws light on the condition of 18th century England, especially London.

The Best-Kept Secrets of Poetry

Discover and learn about the greatest poetry ever straight to your inbox

Discover and learn about the greatest poetry, straight to your inbox

Start Your Perfect Poetry Journey

✕