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Platonism in English poetry of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries

Written by John Smith Harrison

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English poetryThesis (Ph. D.)RenaissancePlatoNeoplatonism in literature

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About this book

"Platonism in English Poetry of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries" by John Smith Harrison is a scholarly treatise examining the influence of Platonic philosophy on English poetry, written during the early 20th century. The work articulates how Platonism shaped the spiritual and ethical framework of poets from that period, focusing specifically on poets like Edmund Spenser. The book delves into themes of love, beauty, holiness, and the moral ideals that stem from Platonic thought, providing insights into how these ideas were integrated into the poetic landscape of the time. The opening of the text establishes its critical approach, detailing how Harrison intends to explore Platonism not through the lens of individual poets but as a collective influence on the poetry as a whole. He introduces concepts such as the duality of earthly versus heavenly beauty, discussing how these notions manifest in Spenser's work, particularly through allegorical characters symbolizing virtues like holiness and temperance. As an example, he highlights the character Una from "The Faerie Queene," depicting her as an embodiment of Platonic wisdom and truth. Furthermore, the text comments on how the poets of the time aligned their depictions of love and beauty with Platonic ideals, framing the discussion within a broader cultural and historical context. This scholarly examination serves to illuminate the intricate ways in which philosophy informed poetic expression during a pivotal era in English literature.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Platonism in English poetry of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 15 hours
  • advanced
  • scholarly
  • analytical
  • philosophical

John Smith Harrison's "Platonism in English Poetry of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries" is an early 20th-century scholarly work that meticulously explores the pervasive influence of Platonic philosophy on English poets of the specified era. The treatise argues that Platonism provided a fundamental spiritual and ethical framework, shaping their understanding and depiction of love, beauty, holiness, and moral ideals. Harrison's critical approach examines this influence as a collective phenomenon rather than through isolated individual poets, offering deep insights into how concepts like the duality of earthly and heavenly beauty manifested in works such as Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene." The book serves as a crucial examination of the intricate relationship between philosophy and poetic expression during a pivotal period in English literary history, illuminating the philosophical underpinnings of enduring literary achievements.

“"The influence of Platonic philosophy on English poetry... is not merely an individual borrowing but a collective shaping force on the spiritual and ethical framework."”

Key themes

The Duality of Earthly vs. Heavenly Beauty
This theme explores the Platonic concept of two types of beauty: the transient, imperfect beauty found in the physical world, and the eternal, perfect beauty of the divine or ideal Forms. Harrison demonstrates how poets of the 16th and 17th centuries frequently contrasted these two, often using earthly beauty as a stepping stone or a deceptive facade for the higher, spiritual beauty. This duality informs their aesthetic and moral considerations, shaping their depictions of love, nature, and human experience.
Love as a Spiritual Ascent
Stemming directly from Platonic Eros, this theme details how love in English poetry of the period was often portrayed not merely as physical attraction but as a hierarchical progression from base, carnal desire to a pure, intellectual, and ultimately divine adoration. Harrison shows how poets used this framework to explore human relationships, moral development, and the quest for spiritual enlightenment, positioning love as a transformative force that elevates the soul towards the Good and the Beautiful.
Philosophy as a Framework for Poetic Expression
This overarching theme examines how Platonic philosophy served as a fundamental intellectual and structural framework for the poets, influencing not just the content but also the form and allegorical methods of their poetry. Harrison emphasizes that philosophy was not an external decoration but an intrinsic element that shaped the very architecture of their imaginative worlds, providing a coherent system of thought for exploring complex spiritual and ethical realities.

Worth discussing

How does Harrison's approach of analyzing Platonism as a 'collective influence' rather than individual borrowings contribute to our understanding of the period's poetry?

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