Locrine (ePub)

Algernon Charles Swinburne (5 April 1837 - 10 April 1909) was a notable English poet, playwright, novelist, and critic, renowned for his mastery of lyrical poetry and his controversial themes. Born into a wealthy Northumbrian family, Swinburne was educated at Eton and Oxford but left without obtaining a degree. His literary work is characterized by its classical allusions, intricate rhyme schemes, and metrical innovation. Swinburne's poetic endeavors frequently invoked themes of morbidity, sensual love, and medieval subject matter, which garnered both acclaim and condemnation from his Victorian contemporaries. 'Locrine', a dramatic work, is among the lesser-known of Swinburne's prolific outputs, overshadowed by his more prominent publications like 'Atalanta in Calydon' (1865) and 'Poems and Ballads' (1866). His verse was celebrated for its rich, musical language and its enthusiastic embrace of the aesthetic movement. Despite his successes, Swinburne's hedonistic lifestyle and his inclination towards topics such as sado-masochism and paganism sparked significant controversy. In literary history, Swinburne holds a distinguished place, credited with influencing later poets, including T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. His works are studied for their lyrical beauty and complex constructions, as well as the enduring themes which mirror Victorian society's fascinations and fears.