Write a Note on Cavalier Poets.

The term “Cavalier Poets” describes a school of English poets of the 17th century. They supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. Charles I, a specialist in the fine arts, supported poets who created the art he desired. So, these poets grouped themselves with the King and his service. Thus, they became Cavalier poets. They were royalists and were separate in their lifestyles.

The Note will cover the following questions:

• Who are the Cavelier Poets?
• Or, Write a note on Cavalier Poets.

Cavalier poets: The best-known are Robert Herrick, Sir John Suckling, and Richard Lovelace. Most of them were courtiers. Their poems are secular and no doubt lyrical but rather written in a light-hearted tone. Love is mainly the theme of their poems, but love treated by them is more attached to temporal and immediate pleasure. The following poets are known as Cavalier poets:

Robert Herrick (1591-1674): Robert Herrick was one of the greatest cavalier poets. His poems are lyrical and full of wit and humorous sentiment. His famous volumes of poems are “Hesperides”, “To Daffodils”, and “Noble Numbers”. They are collections of short poems. These poems may be short but deep in meaning. In “To Daffodils”, Herrick says,

“We die

As your hours do, and dry

Away.”

Thomas Carew (1595-1640): Thomas Carew was known as a courtly and polished love poet. His poems are sensuous lyrics. He had a clear and direct lyrical statement. His poems are short in length. “A Rapture” is his longest poem. The subject matters of this poem are love and feminine beauty.

Sir Thomas Suckling (1609-1641): Suckling’s lyrics are all of love and have a captivating swing. They are all characterized by a light-imparting tone. His two best lyrics are “A Ballad upon a Wedding” and Why So Pale and Wan Fond Lover?”

Richard Lovelace (1617-1657): Like other cavalier poets of 17th century England, Richard Lovelace lived a legendary life as a solder, lover, and courtier. His best-known works are “To Lucasta, Going to the Wars” and “To Althea, from Prison.”

Cavalier Poetry is different from traditional poetry in its subject matter. Instead of attacking issues like religion and the arts, cavalier poetry aims to express the joy and simple gratification of celebratory things. Most cavalier works had allegorical and classical references. They drew upon the knowledge of Horace, Cicero, and Ovid. By using these resources, they were able to produce poetry that impressed King Charles I. The cavalier poets wrote lyrics and short poems and did not like sonnets. They revealed the lyrical power of the higher order: fresh, passionate, and felicitous but, at the same time, meditative and observant.