Pope Amongst the Satirists, 1660-1750

"Professor Hammond follows an introduction to the 'Golden Age' of Satire in the period 1660-1750 with a study of the poetic and dramatic satire of the post-Restoration era, foregrounding the work of Dryden, Rochester, Wycherley and Vanbrugh. He then explains why the work of Alexander Pope dominates the satirical scence for the length of the poet's active life (1712-44). Whereas earlier chapters had concentrated on sex and politics, the book's third chapter focuses on beliefs and ideas that arose out of the intellectual ferment of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Whilst conflicts over the ownership and promotion of knowledge are more central than individuals, some figures do stand out: Swift, Gay, Fielding and again Pope - considered here as part of wider satirical groupings and projects - as the emerging novel joins the story of satire."--BOOK JACKET.

Brean Hammond held the Rendel Chair of English Literature at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth where he was Head of Department and then Pro Vice-Chancellor (1995-1999) before returning to teaching and research as Professor of Modern English Literature at the University of Nottingham.