Joshua Sylvester Quotes

A collection of quotes by Joshua Sylvester.

Joshua Sylvester was a 16th-century English poet and translator. He was born in 1563, possibly in the city of Kent, England, although details about his early life are scarce. Sylvester gained recognition for his work as a translator, particularly for his translations of French and Dutch poetry into English.

One of Sylvester's most notable works is his translation of Du Bartas' epic poem "Divine Weeks and Works." Published in 1605, this translation helped popularize Du Bartas' work in the English-speaking world. The poem consists of nine books, each dealing with a different biblical story or theme.

Sylvester's translation style was characterized by his use of rhymed verse, which differed from the original work's blank verse. Though some criticized his translations for lacking fidelity to the source material, Sylvester was praised for his ability to retain the grandeur and spiritual elements of the poems.

In addition to his translations, Sylvester also wrote several original poems, including a dedication to Queen Elizabeth I, titled "Lachrimae Lachrimarum." This poem expressed deep sorrow upon the Queen's death in 1603.

While Sylvester's popularity waned after his death in 1618, his translations left a lasting impact on English literature, influencing later poets such as John Milton and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.