Cowley's Essays

"Cowley's Essays" by Abraham Cowley, is a compilation of thoughtful essays from the 1600s where Cowley shares his ideas on topics like freedom, being alone, staying out of the spotlight, and farming. These writings show that Cowley was really interested in the idea of personal freedom and the peacefulness of living in the countryside. The collection begins by introducing Abraham Cowley as a talented young poet who grew up to be an important writer in England. The first essay in the book discusses freedom, looking at what it means for people and for the world around them. Cowley makes the case that real freedom comes from controlling yourself and chasing after your own happiness, instead of getting caught up in trying to meet everyone else's expectations. He emphasizes the freedom of decision making and time. Cowley's deep thinking and the historical time period in which he lived invite readers to explore the many different ideas presented in these essays.