Alexander Pope

An Essay on Criticism is one of the first major poems written by the English writer Alexander Pope. It is written in a type of rhyming verse called heroic couplets. The poem first appeared in 1711. It was written in 1709, and it is clear from Pope's correspondence that many of the poem's ideas had existed in prose …

Alexander Pope's technical polish and intellectual poise appeal to the subtlest audience. This selection includes The Rape of the Lock, Eloisa to Abelard, and extracts from The Dunciad and the translation of Homer.