The entire tradition of poetry in English is here, from the Renaissance and Shakespeare to such modern writers as Judith Wright and Tony Harrison. Poems are set in their historical, biographical and cultural contexts. Their detailed analyses reveal what C. H. Sisson, the English poet and critic, has described as Dr. Spurr's 'discriminating literacy'. Focusing on the difficulties of reading poetry and writing about it, in the opening chapters, Spurr presents a systematic approach to the study of poetry, stressing - refreshingly - the importance of hearing and enjoying the sounds of poetic language. He provides models for the discussion of theme and style, and for the evaluation of texts, free from the jargon of contemporary theory. The book includes numerous topics for essays and assignments, ten special studies of individual poets, a glossary of literary terms, and an historical table.