The Visions of the Sleeping Bard (ePub)

Ellis Wynne (1671-1734) stands as a seminal figure in Welsh literature, best known for his masterwork 'The Visions of the Sleeping Bard' ('Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc'), originally published in 1703. This allegorical work, written in Welsh, has been celebrated for its vivid imagery and satirical examination of life and society. Wynne's style blends a keen moral outlook with a rich use of language, drawing from biblical, classical, and contemporary sources to craft a narrative that remains compelling in its portrayal of human folly and vice. 'The Visions of the Sleeping Bard' is structured as a dream vision, a popular literary device of the Middle Ages, allowing Wynne the creative liberty to traverse celestial and infernal realms. Its impact on Welsh literature is substantial, credited with marking a transition toward a more sophisticated form of prose that influenced subsequent generations of writers. Wynne, born in Merionethshire, took holy orders after his education at Oxford and spent much of his life in the church, where the influence of sermonic literature is evident in his prose style. Though Wynne's literary output was not extensive, the endurance and influence of 'The Visions of the Sleeping Bard' afford him a distinguished place in the canon of Welsh letters, rendering him a cherished cultural and literary icon in Wales and an important figure in early 18th-century literature.