The Poet Laureate in England and the U.S - Research Paper Example

?Poet Laureates from U.S. and England: a comparative study Introduction History has always recorded the enviable position of poets in society during the pastime. It is said that they had been enjoyed special seats beside kings and lords and assumed a royal position. It will not be an exaggeration to remark that they still possess respectable position in almost all the sects of life. A general observation of poetry reveals that poetry has the magnificent ability to attract everyone, regardless of class, race or social positions. Analyzing the reasons for the admiration and desirable positions of the poets, many are of the view it is a God given talent which is unfeasible for an ordinary one to attain. If such a one attempts poetry, it will turn absurd and cannot be treated as readable. The great epics like Iliad and Odyssey, written in poetic language undoubtedly unveil enchanting power of poetry. If one goes little further, one can see that the plays of Shakespeare still bewitch readers and audience with their tremendous poetic language. Therefore, one is obvious about the decisive role of poetry in influencing the majority and the appreciated positions of poets. Poet Laureate has been one such means to honor the great poets. It is an official position conferred to the respectable or the well talented poets for a particular period of time. The proposed paper aims to study the title ‘Poet Laureate,’ identifying the popular poet laureates of the past centuries and attempting a comparative study between Poet Laureates from two different countries, specifically, England and The United States and make comparisons or contrasts, about them. Origin of the word ‘laureate’ It would be interesting for one to analyze the history of Poet Laureate before attempting a grave ‘study on this topic. Researchers have identified the word ‘laureate has some historical importance. The word 'laureate' means "crowned with laurel" deriving from the Latin word laureates (The poet laureate). Researchers have also identified that the term was actually derived from the customary of crowning the successful person with a wreath of laurel leaves in Ancient Rome. Bob Holman and Margery Snyder make it clear when they rightly explore the history and remark, “The term “laureate” comes from the use of bay laurel leaves in ancient Greece to create wreaths or crowns for heroes and the victors in athletic and literary competitions” (Holman and Snyder). Thus, it is evident that the victor was given the wreath of laurel leaves and the word ‘laureate’ began to be used in the sense of ‘victorious.’ Therefore, one can infer that ‘Poet Laureate’ became the title given to the most successful poet during a particular time period. Bob Holman and Margery Snyder observe, “In the Middle Ages, “Poet laureate” came to mean the poet chosen to serve a king or other noble patron by writing poems honoring the monarch and the state embodied in that monarch” (Holman and Snyder). The History of the tradition of the Poet Laureate The history of the English poet laureate dates back to the 12th century and the English Royal House of Plantagenet (The poet laureate). History identifies that the poets during that time were known as ‘versifiers’ and were privileged by the kings and awarded fees and pensions. Regarding the English tradition it is identifiable that the English Royal houses continued their patronage for centuries and later the Tudors and Stuarts followed it. The online article entitled, “Poet Laureate” traces the history of poet laureate when writes thus, “The position of Poet Laureate was informally created by Charles I for Ben Jonson in 1617, however, the title did not become an official royal office until it was conferred by letters patent on John Dryden in 1670” (The poet laureate). The article adds, “The position became the Poet Laureate of Great Britain in 1707, when The Act of Union created "Great Britain" as the political name of England, Scotland, and Wales.” Some of the historical evidences show that it was Petrarch, the great Italian poet, was the first modern poet to be awarded the title, named poet laureate of Rome in 1341 (Holman and Snyder). Whatever perceptions are there regarding the first poet laureate, one is sure of the reality that poet laureate has a reputable position in society. One should attempt a systematic research if one seeks to gather more details concerning poetic laureate. The Poet Laureate in England One is puzzled when endeavoring to unveil the real tradition of poet laureate in England because, there are various perceptions and opinions with regard to it. However, one can see, for a long time the appointment of the poet laureate was under the authority of the king or queen. Bob Holman and Margery Snyder has remarked that during the last part of the 12th century, the English ruler, Richard the Lion-Hearted had employed a “versificator Regis” or “King’s poet” (Holman and Snyder). Geoffrey Chaucer, who is regarded as the father of English literature, has occupied the position of poet laureate and it is said that he received an annual wine allowance in the late 14th century. The 16th and the 17th or the Elizabethan era has often been marked as the golden age of English literature, and also it was an age when poets and dramatists were well respected. Even kings and queens would come to watch the public performances of drama. They would appreciate the dramatist and performers. King James I was one among them who awarded a pension to Ben Jonson, the contemporary of Shakespeare. Many mull over Ben Jonson as the first English poet laureate. But it was John Dryden, the great metaphysical poet, was the first to be officially appointed as poet laureate in England in the year 1668. Hereafter, specific duties— to write verses commemorating royal and national occasions— were assigned to him. One of the notable things with regard to the appointment of poet laureate is that “It used to be a job for life until, on the death of Ted Hughes in 1999, Andrew Motion was appointed for a fixed term of 10 years” (McSmith). It should also be noted that great poets like William Wordsworth, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes have occupied this position while poets like Thomas Gray, Sir Walter Scott and Philip Larkin refused it. The Poet Laureate in the U.S. The poet laureate tradition began in United States much later when comparing with England. Though the poet laureate tradition in England is believed to be started in 15th or 16th century, it was only in 20th century a poet laureate appointed in America. But in the beginning, they were known as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Bob Holman and Margery Snyder in their online article entitled; “Poets Laureate” have identified thus, “In the United States, the poet laureate tradition began in 1937 with the appointment of the first Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, Joseph Auslander” (Holman and Snyder). Firstly, they were appointed for one year but later the duration would extend if they were successful in their duties. Later in the year 1985, the Congress changed the title to “Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry” and allowed an annual stipend with some official duties. According to Holman and Snyder the very few official duties of a poet laureate includes the following: “The Library keeps to a minimum the specific duties in order to afford incumbents maximum freedom to work on their own projects while at the Library. The Laureate gives an annual lecture and reading of his or her poetry and usually introduces poets in the Library's annual poetry series, the oldest in the Washington area, and among the oldest in the United States.” one of the criticisms about the modern poet laureates is that they do not spend sufficient time to foster poetry, instead they are focusing on various projects. The Responsibilities of the English Poet Laureate Poet laureate in modern times bears various responsibilities. The website entitled: “The Poet Laureate” has identified the responsibilities of a poet laureate are as follows: The English Poet Laureate is the realm's official poet who has been assigned various official duties. The Poet Laureate is a member of the royal household The Poet Laureate is charged with writing verses for court and national occasions such as the monarch's birthday, royal births and marriages, coronations and military victories The Poet Laureate was originally awarded the position for life, however, from 1999 the post is limited to 10 years The Poet Laureate is chosen by the British reigning monarch from a list of nominees that the Prime Minister compiles after the death of a poet laureate It is the Lord Chamberlain who appoints the poet laureate by issuing a warrant to the laureate-elect The life appointment is always announced in the London Gazette The Responsibilities of the American Poet Laureate Like the duties of the poet laureate in England, the poet laureate in America also possesses various official duties. The website entitled: “The Poet Laureate” makes an accurate evaluation regarding the duties of a poet laureate. The website has presented the official duties of the poet laureate as follows: The Poet Laureate is officially the country's literary advocate. The main responsibility of the Poet Laureate is to strive to raise the nation's appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry The Poet Laureate is not a political appointee Specific duties are minimized so that appointees have the greatest freedom to develop their own projects The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Librarian of Congress, who consults with others, such as the current Poet Laureate, former laureates and poetry critics, before making the selection The Poet Laureate is given an annual payment ($35,000 in 2003) which is funded by a gift from Archer M. Huntington The Poet Laureate is invited to give an annual lecture and reading of their own poetry The Poet Laureate is awarded the position for one year, serves from October to May, and is eligible for reappointment Comparison and contrast The comparison of the poet laureates in England and the United States unearth certain factors. One of most important similarities between them is that the poet laureates in both the countries enjoy official status which includes various official duties. But the basic difference between them lies mainly in the mode of their duties. In England, the poet laureate is the realm’s official poet who has the duties of composing poems and for court in various occasions like, the monarch's birthday, royal births and marriages, coronations and military victories, and so on. But the American poet laureate is appointed by the Library Congress and not a political appointee. The American poet laureate is often referred to as a literary advocate, who has to foster the nation's appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. Another important difference between the two laureates is the duration of their service. When the English laureate is appointed for life time (nowadays it has been limited to 10 years), the American laureate is awarded the position for one year and it would be extend by the Library Council, if the performance is satisfactory. However, comparing with the English laureates, the great benefit of the American laureates is the more freedom they enjoy, especially their freedom to be engaged in various projects, if they wish. Conclusion To conclude, one can infer that the status of poet laureate is a highly reputed one that only the talented will be selected for that post. In the past time, the appointment of a laureate was under the direct instruction of a king or queen. But gradually, various governmental bodies have taken charge of it, and now it has become an official post like various other jobs. Though the acceptability of the position of a laureate is unquestionable, one is suspicious regarding the decrease in the dignity of the position when comparing with the time of William Wordsworth or any other poet of the past. The historical analysis of the studies has revealed the vast number of poet laureates who have imprinted their own indelible marks in history. The study has also helped the researcher to understand the basic differences between the English and the American laureates. Thus, one can conclude that poet laureate is the position given to the talented poet who is appointed as the official poet of a nation. Works Cited: Holman, B & Snyder, M. Poets Laureate. 2011.About.com Guide. 13 April, 2011. Web The poet laureate. 13 April, 2011. Web http://www.love-poems.me.uk/a_poet_laureate.htm McSmith, A. The Big Question: What's the history of Poet Laureates, and does the job still mean anything? May 2009 Web. 13 April, 2011. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-big-question-whats-the-history-of-poet-laureates-and-does-the-job-still-mean-anything-1677076.html Read More