“He is the first of our writers whose style is cloathed with that perspicuity, in which the English phraseology appears at this day to an English reader…Whether his subject be the life of a hermit or a hero, of saint Austin or Guy earl of Warwick, ludicrous or legendary, religious or romantic, a history or an allegory, he writes with facility.”

Thomas Warton The History of English Poetry (1774-81) vol. 2, pp. 52-3.
Criticism

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "He is the first of our writers whose style is cloathed with that perspicuity, in which the English phraseology appears …" by John Lydgate?

John Lydgate22

monk and poet 1370–1450

Related quotes

“In 1673 he wrote his great work De Algebra Tractatus; Historicus & Practicus, of which an English edition appeared in 1685. In this there is seen the first serious attempt in England to write on the history of mathematics, and the result shows a wide range of reading of classical literature of the science.”

David Eugene Smith (1860–1944) American mathematician

This work is also noteworthy because it contains the first of an effort to represent the imaginary number graphically by the method now used. The effort stopped short of success but was an ingenious beginning.
History of Mathematics (1923) Vol.1

“When success happens to an English writer, he acquires a new typewriter. When success happens to an American writer, he acquires a new life.”

Martin Amis (1949) Welsh novelist

"Kurt Vonnegut" (1983)
The Moronic Inferno and Other Visits to America (1986)

“He's a lovely guy, that Ricky Ponting. He likes the English so much he changed the series for them with the most stupid decision he'll ever make in his life.”

Geoff Boycott (1940) cricket player of England

On Ponting's decision to bowl at the crucial Edgbaston Ashes Test, 2005. Via Cricinfo http://www.cricinfo.com/quote/content/story/231681.html.

“For an African writing in English is not without its serious setbacks. He often finds himself describing situations or modes of thought which have no direct equivalent in the English way of life. Caught in that situation he can do one of two things. He can try and contain what he wants to say within the limits of conventional English or he can try to push back those limits to accommodate his ideas … I submit that those who can do the work of extending the frontiers of English so as to accommodate African thought-patterns must do it through their mastery of English and not out of innocence.”

Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic

Quoted by Kalu Ogbaa, Understanding Things Fall Apart (1999), Greenwood Press, ISBN 978-0-313-30294-7.

“During his student days (In Aligarh University), he and Rashid Ahmad Siddiqi used to write interesting articles about the college life and activities; under the pen names of Rip and Bohemian respectively…He distinguished himself by his style both in English and Urdu, a fact acknowledged even by his teachers. Mr James Bottham, the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University was also one of his admirers.”

Zakir Hussain (politician) (1897–1969) 3rd President of India

In p. 39.
About Zakir Hussain, Quest for Truth (1999)

“Galt was the first writer to show the effects of the burgeoning industrial revolution, making him the first political novelist in the English language, and though his reputation has been overshadowed by Scott and Hogg, he is now recognised as one of the great writers of the age.”

John Galt (novelist) (1779–1839) British writer

Carl MacDougall, "Reformers and radicals in Scottish literature" http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/arts/writingscotland/learning_journeys/reformers_and_radicals/. <br class="br">Criticism

“Boileau said that Kings, Gods and Heroes only were fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires.”

John Steinbeck (1902–1968) American writer

Radio interview (1939) quoted in Introduction by Robert DeMott to a 1992 edition of The Grapes of Wrath
Context: Boileau said that Kings, Gods and Heroes only were fit subjects for literature. The writer can only write about what he admires. Present-day kings aren't very inspiring, the gods are on a vacation and about the only heroes left are the scientists and the poor … And since our race admires gallantry, the writer will deal with it where he finds it. He finds it in the struggling poor now.

“Surrey, for his justness of thought, correctness of style, and purity of expression, may justly be pronounced the first English classical poet.”

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1516–1547) English Earl

Thomas Warton The History of English Poetry (1774-81) vol. 3, p. 27.
Criticism

“Class is the most difficult subject for American writers to deal with as it is the most difficult for the English to avoid.”

Gore Vidal (1925–2012) American writer

"Dawn Powell: The American Writer" (1987)
1980s, At Home (1988)

“Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.”

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer

The Life of Addison
Lives of the English Poets (1779–81)

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

John Lydgate22

Related quotes

Related topics