Essays and Research Papers on Poetry

A 5 page paper which examines what many consider to be the definitive account of America’s most popular female poet. No additional sources are used.

This 7 page paper gives a brief biography of physician/poet Peter Pereira and discusses his poem “Nursemaid’s Elbow.” Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page research paper on Kinnell and his poetry. The writer details a brief synopsis of his biography, his literary place, and an exposition of a poem, "When One Has Lived a Long Time Alone." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay that describes Rector's biography and then offers explication of his poem. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page overview that addresses the career of Robert Frost. The writer briefly touches on Frost's biography, and then uses three poems: "The Oven Bird," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "The Road Not Taken," to discuss the principal themes and orientation of Frost's work. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page essay that, first of all, offers a brief biography and discussion of the work of Vergil, the ancient Roman poet. Then, the writer offers a brief synopsis of two readings from Vergil's Aeneid, which are taken from Book I and Book VI. The paper closes with a brief reaction and discussion to ...

A 4 page essay, which includes a very brief outline, offers a brief overview of Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. The writer includes a brief biography of Milton, a short summary of the plot and discusses several of the major themes. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 3 page research paper that looks at the new use of poetry within the business world. Historically, business has been perceived as purely rational, which defines it as antithetical to the creative side of human endeavor, that is, the abstract side, which is epitomized in poetry, which deals with ideas and emotions, not profit. ...

A four page paper comparing a love poem by e.e. cummings to the classic Tennessee Williams play. The paper traces the theme of the fragile beloved through both works, and shows how fragility exerts its own power. Bibliography lists four sources.

A five page paper comparing and contrasting the way Gerard Manley Hopkins and William Wordsworth regard nature. The paper argues that Wordsworth thinks God and nature are essentially the same thing, while Hopkins sees God's power reflected in nature's beauty. Specific poems discussed are Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," and Hopkins' "God's Grandeur." ...

A 5 page paper that examines which of these three women has the most power over Sir Gawain. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

(5 pp) When the Swedish academy released the Award of Literature in 1907 to Rudyard Kipling, they did so with the commendation, "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration. which characterize the creations of this world-famous author." Kipling responded, "Words are, ...

A seven page paper looking at these two works in terms of the way their respective authors, William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley, define love. The paper concludes that although their approaches are very different, both poets seem to feel that love is a great healer, and that seeming opposites can be reconciled through its ...

A ten page paper examining the degree to which Geoffrey Chaucer's poem reflects the code of courtly love. The paper concludes that the false ideals of courtly love prohibit Troilus from really reaching a personal level with the woman he loves; and this leaves him without any bargaining power when he needs to win her ...

A 6 page paper arguing that struggle and its resulting helplessness has value for both the observer and the participant as seen from the viewpoint of Dylan Thomas in 'Do not go..,' Roethke in 'My Papa's Waltz,' and Rich in '...Woman Mourned....' The paper discusses death, the dance of struggle, will(power), and helplessness as ...

A 4 page paper which examines the theme of religion in the poetry of Robert Browning. The poems discussed are “The Boy and the Angel,” “Life in Love,” and “Love in Life.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the poetry of John Donne as it pertains to religion, love and women. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 6 page report discusses the English poet, writer, and clergyman, John Donne (1572-1631), who is best known for his religious and metaphysical poetry, his sermons and meditations. Donne demonstrates that he knows a great deal about love but he also makes it clear that the spiritual component of love is a quintessential characteristic of the deepest love. Romance and ...

A 6 page paper which considers connections between the Medieval poem and Thomas’s consideration of “Astrology: Its Practices and Its Extent.” Bibliography lists three sources.

A 4 page essay that discusses the information can be inferred from Homer's Odyssey concerning the relationship of humanity with the gods. The writer argues that religion gave ancient peoples not only an explanation of natural phenomenon that would otherwise be inexplicable, but also a feeling of control towards fate. Examination of this epic ...

It may be argued that the two 'passions' (physical and spiritual) in Emily Dickinson's life were the primary motivation for the way in which she lived that life. This 10 page paper notes that the themes upon which her poetry dwells includes love, separation, death, pain, faith, religion, science and the soul. She is often ambiguous concerning how ...

This 5 page paper discusses the shift in perspectives of the Victorian poets toward religion. Exampled poets include: Emily Dickinson, Keats, Tennyson, and Rossetti. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page discussion regarding three poems written in the early part of the nineteenth century: Shelley’s “Mutibility” and “Mont Blanc” and Wordsworth’s “Mutibility”. Contrasts Wordsworth faith in religion and Shelley’s faith in self and nature. No additional sources are listed.

A 5 page paper which examines and analyzes Anne Bradstreet’s poetry as it informs the reader of history. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page paper critiques the last scene of two classic works, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Great Expectations."