“The blueprints of verse can be used to build things made of literal, or nonpoetic material, which is why most verse is not poetry.”

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 "The blueprints of verse can be used to build things made of literal, or nonpoetic material, which is why most verse is …" by John Hollander?
John Hollander photo
John Hollander 31
American poet 1929–2013

Related quotes

Alfred Austin photo

“No verse which is unmusical or obscure can be regarded as poetry whatever other qualities it may possess.”

Alfred Austin (1835–1913) British writer and poet

Prose Papers on Poetry (1910)

Clive Staples Lewis photo

“It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible.”

Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) Christian apologist, novelist, and Medievalist

The World's Last Night (1952)
Context: "Say what you like," we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, 'this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.' And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else." It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible.

“You can teach the writing of verse.. like prose.. an instrument.. and the recognition of true poetry. The rest, writers must teach them selves.”

John Hollander (1929–2013) American poet

Interview with J D McCarthy 'The Art of Poetry' no 35 Fall 1985

Báb photo
Virgil photo

“I made these little verses, another took the honor.”
Hos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter honores.

Virgil (-70–-19 BC) Ancient Roman poet

Epigram attributed to Virgil in Donatus' Life of Virgil.
Attributed

Molière photo

“All that is not prose is verse; and all that is not verse is prose.”

Molière (1622–1673) French playwright and actor

Tout ce qui n'est point prose, est vers; et tout ce qui n'est point vers, est prose.
Act II, sc. iv
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (1670)

Related topics