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James Fenton Quotes

Poet

James Fenton, a renowned British poet, was born on April 25, 1949. His poetry is widely acclaimed for its unique style and profound emotional expression.

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Famous James Fenton Quotes

“What happened to poetry in the twentieth century was that it began to be written for the page.”

Written Happened Century Pages Twentieth Century

Author:James Fenton

“Lyric poetry is, of course, musical in origin. I do know that what happened to poetry in the twentieth century was that it began to be written for the page. When it's a question of typography, why not? Poets have done beautiful things with typography - Apollinaire's 'Calligrammes,' that sort of thing.”

Knows Done Beautiful Courses Written Happened Century Poet Pages Musical Poetry Is Why Not Beautiful Things Twentieth Century Typography Lyric Poetry

Author:James Fenton

“When we study Shakespeare on the page, for academic purposes, we may require all kinds of help. Generally, we read him in modern spelling and with modern punctuation, and with notes. But any poetry that is performed - from song lyric to tragic speech - must make its point, as it were, without reference back.”

Kind May Helping Purpose Song Study Modern Speech Pages Notes All Kinds Tragic Academic Spelling Punctuation

Book:An Introduction to English Poetry

Source: An Introduction to English Poetry

“Writing for the page is only one form of writing for the eye. Wherever solemn inscriptions are put up in public places, there is a sense that the site and the occasion demand a form of writing which goes beyond plain informative prose. Each word is so valued that the letters forming it are seen as objects of solemn beauty.”

Writing Eye Form Objects Demand Pages Letters Occasions Prose Site Solemn Informative Inscriptions

Author:James Fenton

About the Author

Born: April 25, 1949
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 53

Books & Sources

An Introduction to English PoetryRelated source material

Out of DangerRelated source material

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