Essay on Criticism
Edited with Introduction and Notes

Originally published in 1896 as part of the Pitt Press Series, this book contains the text of Alexander Pope's poetic essay on criticism. Grammarian Alfred West introduces the poem with brief essays on Pope's versification, the poem's use of the word 'wit' and other aspects of the poem's composition, and there are appendices concerning some of the more obscure passages and on the poet's use of simile. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the work of Alexander Pope.

Preface; Introduction: 1. The metaphysical and classical schools of English poetry; 2. Was Pope a poet?; 3. Pope's alleged 'correctness'; 4. The 'Essay on Criticism'; 5. Pope's versification; 6. The meanings of the word 'wit' in the 'Essay'; 7. Paraphrase of the 'Essay on Criticism'; 'An Essay on Criticism'; Notes; Appendix; Index.