Poems of Richard Barnfield

by Richard Barnfield, George Klawitter (Editor)

Richard Barnfield is an important Elizabethan poet whose work continues to gather appreciation from readers and critics alike. He was a brave voice in the English Renaissance who dared to publish poetry about one man's love for another man.
In his student days in London, he published pastoral verse. Later his poetry turned didactic, but he never lost his gentle sense of line and image.
For an unknown reason, he was disinherited by his father in favor of a younger brother, and Richard Barnfield lies today in an unmarked grave. His poetry continues to delight and amaze readers.

Genres: Poetry

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1594

About the author

English poet (1574-1620)

Reviews

[Corydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great edition for Richard Barnfield, a poet worth more reading and further scholarship. Well-informed introduction save certain details to be updated by far; for example, Barnfield’s death has been dated to 1620 by Massai’s entry for the DNB. The poems are sweet and original. Barnfield’s got rid of the plagiarism of his predecessors and thus invigorated linguistic & thematic novelty into the genre.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. Sonnet 11 is my favourite; but it's all excellent use of words and imagery