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English Literature / Unit 8   ENL 0708 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Cavalier Poets and Carpe Diem

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The idea

The Cavalier poets supported Charles the First: Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew and Sir John Suckling. The witness notes the name was first meant to belittle them as roistering gallants. Their lyrics are polished and classical, often on carpe diem, Latin for "seize the day."

In practice

Royalist, polished, seize the day.

Where people slip

Cavalier poets opposed the metaphysical style.

Your place on the trail

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