Alexander Pope, a brilliant, vindictive little hunchback who became the greatest satirical poet of his century (the 18th), usually had the last word, and usually it lasted. Vain and touchy, a brilliant, malicious destroyer of reputations, he was a critical menace to the dull and mediocre in life and literature. Also one of the ablest craftsmen of verse who ever lived, he packed more in a couplet than others could in a stanza. Unlike many modern poets, he wrote both lucidly and sharply; he intended to be understood by every intelligent reader. He died of dropsy at 56. These characteristic lines...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
