Seven Minor Epics of the English Renaissance (1596-1624)

** "Seven Minor Epics of the English Renaissance (1596-1624)" by William Barksted is a rich assortment of underappreciated narrative poems from the English Renaissance, reviving seven unique, smaller-scale epics that dive into themes of love and mythology. These poems display the characteristics and style of the time, and include well-known and unknown authors, centering on the romantic challenges its characters face. The collection starts with an introduction that emphasizes the importance of these minor epics and their place in Renaissance literature. It describes the selection of the seven poems found in the volume, such as "Philos and Licia," "Pyramus and Thisbe," and "The Love of Dom Diego and Ginevra." The introduction shines a light on the authors' writing, themes, stylistic decisions, and the one-of-a-kind setting that influenced how these poems were made and shared, as well as getting the reader ready for a journey into these narratives and what they reveal about the culture and literature of the period. **