The works of Richard Hurd, volume 1 (of 8)

"The Works of Richard Hurd, Volume 1" by Richard Hurd is a compilation of insightful essays and analyses penned in the 1800s, deeply exploring the timeless poems of Horace, especially the "Epistle to the Pisos," where Hurd presents both modern explanations and thoughtful essays about the art of poetry. Hurd aims to bring clarity to the complex ways Horace's works have been understood, scrutinizing the structures and rhythms of verse. The volume starts with Hurd sharing his early life and schooling, which builds his credibility as an expert. He stresses how crucial it is to grasp the integrated nature and systematic approach within poetry, challenging earlier views that have wrongly understood Horace’s goals. Hurd builds towards his analysis by looking at poetic freedom, the single focus of a work, and the harmony between inventing new ideas and respecting old customs related to writing poetry, and sheds light on Horace's strategies as an author which shapes the background for Hurd's later studies of Horace's work.