Night thoughts edward young, george gilfillan full view 1853. In the 1790s, when this edition of young s night thoughts was originally published, william blake was relatively unknown, and edward young was one of the best known english writers in the world. Interpretations of edward young, texas studies in literature and language, xii. It was translated into french, german, italian, spanish, portuguese, swedish and magyar. Iconographical themes in the night thoughts, studies in romanticism, x 1971, 1992.
William blakes designs for edward young s night thoughts. Youngs night thoughts introduction 1 introduction n ight thoughts by edward young is the greatest work of english literature to appear in the last 300 years. Edward young biography childhood, life achievements. I quickly read the whole amazing essay on the phrase i am that i am, then backtracked to the author of night thoughts edward young 16811765 sounded perfect for my side project on obscure authors. The works of the author of the nightthoughts edward. In the 1790s, when this edition of youngs night thoughts was originally published, william blake was relatively unknown, and edward young was one of the best known english writers in the world. This latter work emerged from the darkness of the more recent past thanks to its mention and discussion in paul fussells the great war and. Edward young s masterpiece night thoughts emerged from obscurity by being mentioned in edmund blundens world war one memoir, undertones of war 1928, as a source of comfort during time in the trenches. In human hearts what bolder thought can rise, than mans presumption on tomorrows dawn. Night thoughts, a 10,000 line poem which some critics take to be a response to popes essay on man, is a soliloquy addressed to lorenzo, a young profligate whom the narrator seeks to impress with. This sort of assistance can certainly make people additional u. This marriage sprung out of his fathers acquaintance with lady ann wharton, who was coheiress of sir henry lee of ditchley in oxfordshire, and seems to have been very happy. The works of the author of the nightthoughts, edward young volume 2 of the works of the author of the nightthoughts.
Young was a son of edward young, later dean of salisbury, and was born at his fathers rectory at upham, near. The poem is a blankverse dramatic monologue of nearly 10,000 lines, divided into nine. Blake was contracted to provide illustrations for young s most popular work. But what other reception would we expect for a truly sublime spiritual work in the modern age of infidelity. The poet, playwright, and anglican clergyman edward young 16831765 is best known for his blankverse meditative poem night thoughts, or the complaint and the consolation, published serially between 1742 and 1746. He was educated on the foundation at winchester college, and matriculated in 1702 at new college, oxford. It describes the poets musings on death over a series of nine nights in which he ponders the loss of his wife. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at.
Although there are no extant documentary records of the contract, it was probably in late 1794 or early 1795 that the publisher richard edwards commissioned blake to illustrate a new, deluxe edition of edward young s long meditative poem, the complaint, and the consolation. Indeed, in the entire history of this exalted literary tradition, only shakespeare and miltons paradise lost surpass it in excellence. Jonas mekas, visiting the publisher of this paper, noticed on phong buis desk this small calfbound book. In 1745 edward young published a poem of 10,000 lines in blank verse whose popularity would rival pilgrims progress and miltons paradise lost.
William blake and edward youngs night thoughts farrell. The project gutenberg ebook of young s night thoughts, by edward young this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Edward youngs night thoughts, with illustrations by william blake. Night thoughts by edward young 16831765 is a consummate masterpiece, one of the greatest jewels of english literature and yet virtually forgotten today. I quickly read the whole amazing essay on the phrase i am that i am, then backtracked to the author of night thoughts edward young 16811765 sounded perfect for. A textual introduction the publication of night thoughts the text of night thoughts night thoughts with textual variants notes bibliography of works cited in the introduction and notes further reading. The works of the author of the nightthoughts edward young. Edward young june 1683 5 april 1765 early life he was the son of edward young, later dean of salisbury, and was born at his fathers rectory at upham, near winchester, where he was baptized on 3 july 1683. William blakes designs for edward youngs night thoughts. Edward youngjune 1683 5 april 1765 early life he was the son of edward young, later dean of salisbury, and was born at his fathers rectory at upham, near winchester, where he was baptized on 3 july 1683. By natures law what may be may be now theres no prerogative in human hours. In three volumes, edward young volume 2 of the works of the author of the night thoughts. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. Apr 01, 2020 edward young, english poet, dramatist, and literary critic, author of the complaint.
The poem was inspired by the successive deaths of his stepdaughter, in 1736. Edward young 16811765 was an english poet, best remembered for night thoughts. Reviewed by karen mulhallen this set of reproductions by the folio society is the third. Edward youngs masterpiece night thoughts emerged from obscurity by being mentioned in edmund blundens world war one memoir, undertones of war 1928, as a source of comfort during time in the trenches. Night thoughts george gilfillan, charles cowden clarke full view 1865. Jul 14, 2010 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Although he had written much by 1740, his fame was to be based on the publication in 1742 of his the complaint. Although there are no extant documentary records of the contract, it was probably in late 1794 or early 1795 that the publisher richard edwards commissioned blake to illustrate a new, deluxe edition of edward youngs long meditative poem, the complaint, and the consolation. Young s night thoughts introduction 1 introduction n ight thoughts by edward young is the greatest work of english literature to appear in the last 300 years.
English poet, author of night thoughts, son of edward young, afterwards dean of salisbury, was born at his fathers rectory at upham, near winchester, and was baptized on the 3rd of july 1683. Focusing attention exclusively on his most distinctive work, nightthoughts, modern readers frequently overlook much of edward youngs achievement. The poem by edward young illustrated with watercolours by william blake. Widely seen as the most important english religious poem since miltons paradise regained 1671, it was both a national and an international success. Although night thoughts is long and disconnected, it abounds in brilliant isolated passages. The responses to book night thoughts different viewers are able to make a decision of a publication. Young s night thoughts is divided into nine nights. 3 july 1683 5 april 1765 was an english poet, critic, philosopher and theologian, best remembered for night thoughts contents 1 early life. Review of edward youngs night thoughts, with illustrations. In night thoughts, young faces the loss of his wife and closest friends, pondering the hard questions over a series of nine dark nights. Youngs night thoughts with life, critical dissertation and explanatory notes author. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Youngs night thoughts and the origins of the garden.
There are no superlatives too great to describe this work. Blake was contracted to provide illustrations for youngs most popular work. Youngs night thoughts by edward young, paperback barnes. Apr 04, 2014 sumerians tell a very different version than the historians their words are inexplicable duration. William blakes designs for edward youngs night thoughts, with commentary by j. In 1731, young, at the mature age of fifty, married the lady elizabeth lee, daughter of the earl of lichfield, and widow of colonel lee. Youngs night thoughts and the origins of the garden cemetery. Sumerians tell a very different version than the historians their words are inexplicable duration. In 1717, he swift said to young, the author of night thoughts, i am like that tree.
English didactic poetry, poetry, bible, illustrations, immortality, death, religious. The project gutenberg ebook of youngs night thoughts, by edward young this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Night thoughts on life, death and immortality by edward young. He was educated at winchester college, and matriculated in 1702 at new college, oxford. It describes the poets musings on death over a series of nine nights in which he ponders the loss of his wife and friends, and laments human frailties.
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