The Poetical Works of Mark Akenside

"The Poetical Works of Mark Akenside" by Mark Akenside is an anthology of poems crafted in the 1700s, showcasing his famous piece, "The Pleasures of Imagination." The collection emphasizes ideals of loveliness and inventive thinking, and how different art forms connect, examining the impact of nature and art on people's thoughts and honoring the role of imagination in people's lives. The beginning of the book tells of Mark Akenside’s life, from his modest roots as a butcher’s son in Newcastle, to his schooling, and the growth of his skills for writing. It emphasizes his goals, earlier works in magazines, and his choice to study medicine over preaching in church, showing his love for knowledge and poetry. Readers understand Akenside's personality and the world that encouraged his poetic talent from this life story, laying the groundwork for the philosophical and imaginative journeys that come next in his poetry.