Remembering the masters: A tribute to history's great poets

World Poetry Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the beauty, history and power of poetry. It's also a great opportunity to honour history's greatest poets who have not only contributed to the development and evolution of this precious art form in their own unique ways, but whose contributions have allowed us to experience the world as they saw and felt it, giving us a wonderful insight into human history.

Shakespeare: Master of Language

William Shakespeare (bapt. 26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616) is widely considered one of history's greatest poets and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His works have transcended generations and will no doubt forever be admired, studied and performed worldwide. Shakespeare's universal themes of love, jealousy, power and betrayal have kept his work timeless, his unique language which is widely esteemed for its beauty, depth and complexity much the same.

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts."

Milton: Poet of Paradise

John Milton (9 December 1608 - 8 November 1674) is another iconic figure in the world of poetry. His epic poem Paradise Lost is considered one of the greatest works of literature in the English language. Milton's use of language is particularly notable, for he created a unique style that blended classical and biblical influences. Milton's works continues to inspire and challenge readers and writers today and tomorrow too.

"A mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n."

Keats: Poet of Beauty

John Keats (31 October 1795 - 23 February 1821) was a romantic poet celebrated for his lyrical beauty and sensory richness. His poems often explore the beauty of life and the natural world, but they also confront the reality of death and the transience of existence. Keats's works continue to be celebrated for its emotional depth and artistic beauty.

"Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?"

Dickinson: Poet of the Inner Life

Emily Dickinson (10 December 1830 - 15 May 1886) is known for her exploration of the inner life, often dealing with themes of death, nature and the soul. Her poetry is celebrated for its use of unconventional punctuation and syntax, which give her work a distinctive style. Though not widely known during her lifetime, her works have since become an important part of the literary canon.

"Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all."

Poe: Master of the Macabre

Edgar Allan Poe's (19 January 1809 - 7 October 1849) haunting and eerie works explore the darker aspects of the human experience. His use of vivid imagery, musical language, and dark themes set him apart from his contemporaries and established him as a master of the macabre. Poe remains an influential writer, with his works still inspiring horror and suspense genres.

"Words Have No Power to Impress the Mind Without the Exquisite Horror of Their Reality."

Wilde: Wit of Words

Oscar Wilde (16 October 1854 - 30 November 1900) is celebrated for his wit and satire, often critiquing the hypocrisy of Victorian society. His most famous works include The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. Wilde had a talent for turning a phrase and creating memorable epigrams. Despite the controversy surrounding him, Wilde remains one of the most beloved and celebrated poets of his time.

"Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing."

Angelou: Voice of Resilience

Maya Angelou's (4 April 1928 - 28 May 2014) powerful voice and message of resilience characterise her poetry. Her most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, explores themes of racism, trauma and identity. Angelou's poetry often celebrates the beauty of Black culture and resilience in the face of adversity. She remains one of the most important voices of the Civil Rights Movement.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Plath: Poet of Emotion

Sylvia Plath's (27 October 1932 - 11 February 1963) poetry explores the complexities of emotion and the human psyche. Her works often deal with themes of depression, suicide and gender roles. Plath's unique use of language and imagery gives her works a distinctive voice. Despite her tragic death at a young age, her poetry continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and artistic beauty.

"I have the choice of being constantly active and happy or introspectively passive and sad. Or I can go mad by ricocheting in between."

Neruda: Poet of Love

Pablo Neruda (12 July 1904 - 23 September 1973) is celebrated for his romanticism and sensuality. His most famous works include Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair and The Captain's Verses. Neruda's poetry is characterised by its celebration of love, nature and the human experience. His works continue to inspire and challenge readers, making him one of the most important poets of the 20th century.

"..so I wait for you like a lonely house till you will see me again and live in me. Till then my windows ache."

By Kirsten Jakubenko