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madeleinegeorge's review against another edition
5.0
By far Pope's magnum opus, certainly the best from him I've read. Quite the read for Valentine's Day. The way he conflates the suffering of consumption by flames-- both from hell and from love -- is *chef's kiss*. There's something inherently and fundamentally devastating in witnessing their respective isolations. They are removed from their society, both sexual and metropolitan, and are subsequently reduced to only their words. And even as their words bridge space their persons cannot, they fail to do so much. It is a torment to love, an anguish to be loved. But beloved they remain, regardless.
oof.
oof.
femaledonniedarko's review against another edition
4.0
“How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;”
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;”
steds's review against another edition
4.0
origin of the 'eternal sunshine of the spotless mind' phrase. worth the read and the historical context.
616ece's review
challenging
medium-paced
3.0
Studied it in a class. Tiring yet understandable. It would've been much easier if we didn't analyze it with iambic parameter etc. I liked the idea of 'Neoclassicism.' Pope just wants to ultimately raise the level of English language poetics to that of classical poetics.
apawney97's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful letter in verse set in the twelfth century, inspired by Ovid's 'Heroides'. Fully captures and encapsulates the pain of unrequited love and the cruel power of fate with social circumstances in the foreground. The lines are drenched with regret and melancholic reminiscence, hoping for a future which will never come since the lovers' fates have already been sealed. One of the most poignant poems I have ever read! Pope is a genius.
ayushinayak's review against another edition
5.0
Let wealth, let honour, wait the wedded dame,
August her deed, and sacred be her fame;
The very best of Alexander Pope.
August her deed, and sacred be her fame;
The very best of Alexander Pope.