Poetic diction: A study of eighteenth century verse

"Poetic Diction: A Study of Eighteenth Century Verse" by Thomas Quayle is a literary critique written in the early 20th century. This work investigates the poetic language utilized during the eighteenth century, particularly analyzing the views surrounding "poetic diction" and how this language evolved in relation to contemporary social and literary contexts. Quayle aims to critique the misconceptions about the poetry of this era, addressing the historical dismissal of its style and contributions. At the start of the study, Quayle sets the stage by discussing the historical context following the publication of the "Lyrical Ballads" in 1798, highlighting the ensuing criticism of the classical poetic language of the eighteenth century. He notes how poets of that time, including Pope and Dryden, faced unjust disparagement due to labels that oversimplified their contributions. Quayle proposes to reevaluate these poets' work, examining the various forms of poetic diction—such as Latinism, archaism, and abstraction—which were utilized in their poetry. The opening portion establishes the book's intent to assess the value of the language used in eighteenth-century verse and explore how it reflects the literary and cultural conditions of its time.