The poetry from the eighteenth century was prose; the prose from the seventeenth century was poetry.

Summary

This quote suggests that during the eighteenth century, poetry began to adopt a more prosaic style, losing its characteristic lyrical quality. Conversely, in the seventeenth century, prose took on a more poetic form, incorporating elements of meter, rhyme, and imagery. It highlights a shift in literary tendencies between the two time periods, with the once distinct boundaries between poetry and prose becoming blurred. The quote implies how the nature of literature evolved over time, with different centuries showcasing differing approaches to artistic expression.

Topics