Sonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650) Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles Swinburne, Vol V.

"Sonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650)" by Algernon Charles Swinburne is a compilation of poems reflecting on noteworthy English playwrights, written in the late 1800s. It offers a series of sonnets examining the work of playwrights from the early to mid-1600s, demonstrating Swinburne's respect and critical views of their literary impact. Swinburne, a distinguished Victorian poet, combines his thoughts on the skill and inheritance of prominent figures, like Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson. The collection stands out as a set of refined, detailed poems, each giving a distinct tribute to various poets from the English Renaissance, capturing the heart of these thinkers, and focusing on their inspiring artistic genius. Key pieces address the lasting effects of these playwrights on language and the stage, while also touching on larger concepts of love, death, and the strength of imagination. Thus, Swinburne's sonnets act as a dual celebration; one for the heritage of English poetry, the other, for those playwrights who crafted it.