Oxford Lectures on Poetry

"Oxford Lectures on Poetry" by A. C. Bradley is a collection of academic talks from the early 1900s that examines what makes poetry special, arguing that it's valuable for its own beauty and experience, not for teaching lessons. Written by a former Oxford professor, the series concentrates on the idea that poetry exists "for poetry's sake," meaning its worth comes from the imaginative journey it provides. The lectures explore how poetry creates meaning, especially through how its structure and content work together. The book starts by laying out the author's perspective on what poetry is and why it matters, reflecting on the author's purpose as a speaker. The author stresses that poetry's true value comes from the imaginative experience it gives us, inviting readers to reconsider how they appreciate poems and highlighting the power poetry has to change how we see things.