WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Rejected Addresses; Or, The New Theatrum Poetarum cover

Rejected Addresses; Or, The New Theatrum Poetarum

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A comic volume presents a series of pastiches framed as unsuccessful submissions for an address at a theatre reopening. Each piece imitates and amplifies the diction, rhythms, and mannerisms of prominent contemporary poetic voices, turning characteristic phrases and cadences into playful exaggeration. Selections range from lyrical lampoons to mock-grandiose addresses and satirical epistles, shifting between affectionate mimicry and pointed burlesque. Together they skewer literary mannerisms, theatrical pretension, and the vanity of amateur authors while showcasing technical skill in varied metrical and rhetorical disguises.

About the Author

Smith, James portrait

James Smith

James Smith was a British author and playwright, best known for his satirical work "Rejected Addresses; Or, The New Theatrum Poetarum." This collection of parodies, published in 1812, humorously imagines how various poets would have approached the task of writing addresses for the reopening of the Covent Garden Theatre. Smith's wit and keen observation of contemporary literary figures made this work a notable contribution to the genre of literary satire. His ability to blend humor with social commentary reflects the literary culture of his time, marking him as a distinctive voice in early 19th-century English literature.

You May Also Like