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The Well Read Poem

S17E1: "On the Jubilee of Queen Victoria" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Sep 2, 2024
Dive into the quirks of poetry as the host tackles the theme of 'bad' verse by renowned poets. Explore Tennyson's 'On the Jubilee of Queen Victoria,' which is critiqued for feeling more like a formal advertisement than a true homage. Hear reflections on the challenges poets face during public commemorations and the evolving perceptions of Tennyson's work over time. Discover how even less-than-stellar poetry can spark meaningful conversations about artistry and history.
12:44

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast reveals that even esteemed poets like Tennyson produce works that may be viewed as insincere or forced in praise.
  • Listeners are encouraged to appreciate how the struggles of renowned poets remind us of their human imperfections and failures.

Deep dives

Understanding Bad Poetry

The podcast emphasizes that bad poetry is more prevalent than good poetry throughout literary history. It explores the idea that even renowned poets, such as Alfred Lord Tennyson, produce work that may not meet their usual standards. The host encourages listeners to view these less impressive works as reminders of the human side of even the greatest poets, suggesting it can be comforting to see that even skilled writers experience failures. This revelation underlines the importance of interpretation in poetry, highlighting how a poem can still hold value despite its perceived shortcomings.

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