eBook
Other

Passions in Poetry: George Herbert 1593 1633

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief biography of Herbert is accompanied by the texts of fifteen of his poems. The poems have no commentary with them.
Handout
Other

Fu Jen Catholic University: Metaphysical Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Fu Jen University describes the term "metaphysical" and gives history and definition of the term "metaphysical poet" as coined by critic Samuel Johnson.
Website
Other

Samuel Johnson Page: Brief Biography

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A biographical sketch of Johnson, featuring information about his difficult birth and childhood illnesses, his failed teaching career, and some details of his literary accomplishments.
Website
Other

Anglo Saxon Period: Characteristics of Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This concise survey of Anglo-Saxon poetry is part of a larger site in English for Chinese university students.
Website
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: Selected Poetry of George Herbert

For Students 9th - 10th
Get a taste of metaphysical poetry from one of the most famous metaphysical poets, George Herbert. Here are 21 of his poems, as well as some brief biographical information.
Handout
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: Selected Poetry of Andrew Marvell

For Students 9th - 10th
Get a taste of the metaphysical style by reading selected works of Andrew Marvell, noted metaphysical poet of the 17th century.
Website
University of Toronto (Canada)

University of Toronto: Richard Crashaw Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Toronto has information on one of the noted 17th century Metaphysical Poets. Get a feel of the metaphysical style by viewing Crashaw's poetry on-line.
Activity
University of Maryland

British War Poetry in the Age of Romanticism

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This annotated collection of poems focuses on the theme of war in the late 1700s. Good for an interdisciplinary look at British history or for a literary exploration of war as a theme.
Website
Other

Humanities Web: Anglo Norman Literature

For Students 9th - 10th
This site delves into the world of Anglo Norman literature from 1066 to 1350. This period of literature focuses on the "Specimens of the language."
eBook
Bartleby

Bartleby.com: Andrew Marvell the Garden*

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides the orginal text of Marvell's poem, "The Garden," without explanatory note. In this poem, Marvell compares the soldiers in England's Civil War to flowers.
Website
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: The Heroic Couplet: Its Rhyme and Reason

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy academic essay that argues that traditional poetry, including the heroic couplet, is still relevant in the modern world. While this is discussed, the history of the heroic couplet is provided. A good definition of the term with...
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Andrew Marvell

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of 17th century British poet, Andrew Marvell, with the texts of three of his works. Included is his most famous poem, "To His Coy Mistress."
Lesson Plan
Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Alexander Pope

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore the world of Alexander Pope through the links found in this informative resource. This site provides links to biographical information and lesson plans for "The Rape of Lock."
eBook
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: World War I English Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Forham University provides information and text of the some of the poetry that was written by English poets during the first world war.
Handout
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University

Purdue University Owl: Meter & Scansion

For Students 9th - 10th
Handout from the Purdue University writing lab that explains poetic meter and scansion. Explains several terms, including the following: syllabic, accentual, accentual-syllabic, quantitative, scansion, accented, unaccented, poetic foot,...
Handout
Other

University De Valencia: The Literature of Modernism: 1912 40

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Modernist poetry is featured in this comprehensive article.
Article
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Shakespeare:blank Verse

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This discussion of blank verse is taken from a larger article on Shakespeare and the Globe Theater. It defines the term and discusses its importance in the history of British poetry.
Handout
Rutgers University

Rutgers University: Glossary of Literary and Rhetorical Terms: Heroic Couplets

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A short definition of the term Heroic Couplet along with a short example from a piece of poetry from Pope's Essay on Criticism.
Website
English Verse

Englishverse.com

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This collection of poetry brings together works by both familiar and little-known poets from England and the United States. While there is no commentary on the poetry, there is frequently a biographical note about the poet. Well over 100...
eBook
Luminarium

Luminarium: Lines Written Above Tintern Abbey

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
From the full text of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the poem "Lines Written a Few Miles bove Tintern Abbey." Annotated.
Website
Other

Dickinson Colleg: Wordsworth on Nature

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
A look at Wordswoth's philosophy on nature as evident in his writings. Contains a link to his complete works.
Website
Other

Self knowlege.com: Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Website from SelfKnowlege.com attempts to connect the content of Robert Herrick poems to the expression, description, and meaning of human reality. Included is Herrick's poetry, biographical information, and links to other search tools...
eBook
Other

The Medal by John Dryden

For Students 9th - 10th
The full text of the poem, along with a brief opening note is offered at this site.
Handout
Other

Rgs: Rhythm, Meter, and Scansion Made Easy

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This page was created by a 5th and 6th-grade teacher "As a quick reference for [his] students when studying rhythm," although older students could easily use it too. The following terms are defined: rhythm, meter, scansion, iamb,...