Bernardus Silvestris was a medieval philosopher and poet of the 12th century. His works include the Cosmographia, which is a Latin philosophical allegory that deals with the creation of the universe. The Cosmographia is a prosimetrum, which means that passages of prose alternate with verse passages in various classical meters. It is a pioneering use …
Poetic Allegories
Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Parliament of Fowls” is a poem that has been studied for centuries due to its complex themes and allegorical elements. This 699-line poem is considered one of Chaucer’s earliest and most significant works, and it explores themes of love, nature, and the role of women in society. The poem is set on …
The Vision of Piers Plowman is an allegorical narrative poem written by William Langland in the late 14th century. The poem is considered one of the greatest works in Middle English literature and is studied extensively in universities and literary circles. It is written in unrhymed, alliterative verse and divided into sections called passus. The …
The Faerie Queene is a long and complex poem written by Edmund Spenser in the late 16th century. It is widely regarded as one of the most important works of English literature, and is celebrated for its masterful use of allegory. The poem tells the story of a group of knights who embark on a …
Goblin Market is a narrative poem by Christina Rossetti, first published in 1862. The poem tells the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who encounter goblin merchants selling exotic fruits. Laura succumbs to temptation and eats the fruits, while Lizzie resists. The poem has been interpreted in various ways, with many scholars viewing it …
The Divine Comedy is a three-part epic poem written by Dante Alighieri in the 14th century. The poem is considered one of the greatest works of literature in Western civilization and has been studied and analyzed by scholars for centuries. The Divine Comedy is an allegory that describes Dante’s journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, …
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. The poem is a narrative ballad that tells the story of an old sailor who stops a wedding guest to tell him about a terrible experience he had at sea. The poem is known for its vivid imagery, supernatural …
“The Mysterious Anxiety of Them and Us” is a stoku written by Ben Okri, a Nigerian novelist and poet. This allegory explores the theme of inequality and the struggle between the privileged and the less fortunate. The stoku is a combination of story and haiku, and it has captivated readers with its powerful message. The …