The Works of Alexander Pope: In One Volume Complete, With Notes

by Alexander Pope

Complete works of a celebrated poet, presented with helpful notes and scholarly context.

This one-volume edition gathers Alexander Pope’s major poems and critical writings, paired with notes that illuminate its historical and literary backgrounds. It emphasizes both the verse and the editorial insights that have guided readers for generations, making the wit and argument of Pope accessible today.

This edition frames the poetry with essential concise prefaces, critical essays, and companion commentary that help readers appreciate Pope’s themes, structure, and satire. From the moral essays to the famed Epistles, the book presents a coherent view of Pope’s achievement in one accessible volume. Full works in one volume, with notes explaining references, allusions, and historical context Prefaces and critical essays that shed light on Pope’s approach to poetry and authorship Key poems and letters, including discussions of form, satire, and rhetorical craft Editorial commentary designed to support both casual readers and students Ideal for readers of 18th-century poetry, literary criticism, and anyone curious about Pope’s enduring influence.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Fiction, Literature, British Literature, 18th Century, Philosophy

507 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1777

About the author

People best remember The Rape of the Lock (1712) and The Dunciad (1728), satirical mock-epic poems of English writer Alexander Pope.

Ariel, a sylph, guards the heroine of The Rape of the Lock of Alexander Pope.


People generally regard Pope as the greatest of the 18th century and know his verse and his translation of Homer. After William Shakespeare and Alfred Tennyson, he ranks as third most frequently quoted in the language. Pope mastered the heroic couplet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexand...

Reviews

[Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This month I read “The works of Alexander Pope” that was compiled by The Wordsworth Poetry Library. There is a reason why Alexander Pope is famous. He took simple things and made detailed poetry that sparked inspiration. Though I enjoyed some of his poems more than others, each work compliments one another beautifully. I especially enjoyed how he created poetry based on epitaphs. I gave this book four out of five stars because I loved his imagination. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry and is willing to push through some slow pages.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn't know enough of the immediate context of these poems to track with the big picture, but many of Pope's lines are simply magnificent.

[J. Alfred · Rating 3 out of 5]

One feels a funny double sense of admiration for and exasperation with Pope, at least after reading him for any extended period. People have given Pope grief for not being a poet, and in reading 50 pages or so of couplets, one can understand why. But at the same time, the man has probably contributed more strong, expressive, and complete phrases to the language than any other individual except for Shakespeare. I'm guessing this is generally why one reads the poet-- one picks the occasional perfect line out of a generally indistinguishable column. But the perfect lines are so perfect, and not just in the familiar parts of the "Essay on Man" and "Essay on Criticism," but everywhere. He's a genuinely pleasurable and distinguishable poet, but it might be easier to take him in smaller chunks.
By the way, I'm pretty convinced that Pope and Swift had one of the most charming 'Bromances' in literary history. They ought to sing the "Guy Love" song from Scrubs together.

[Jorge Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este es el primer libro de poesía clásica o "típica" que leo con seriedad. Batallo mucho para leer poesía, pero hay dos de Pope que me han cautivado: "Oda a la soledad" (que es como un estudio sobre el desapego a ser alguien grande y exitoso) y "Ensayo sobre el hombre" (que es un poema largo pero muy sabio). Este último es el primer poema después de Howl de Ginsberg que leo en voz alta y me encanta. Me encanta leer poesía en voz alta. Este lo leí en el camión; claro que iba casi solo el camión y no levantaba mucho la voz. Lo suficiente para sentir el poema, pero no mucho para no hacer el ridículo. Por cierto, leo re-mal, pero me encanta la poesía "out loud"!!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a skim/skip through sort of read. I may revisit Pope in the future when I don't have such a fragile book to be wielding. Plus the font in this particular one is so small, I was using a magnifying glass to read and that's just too difficult for a book that is over 500 pages. Instead, it'll just keep looking pretty on my shelf.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little rough to read, it is 18th century British Lit after all, but it is well worth the effort. Pope is an amazing talent that few other poets have surpassed.

[Walle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever happened to good old poetry, all it is now is prose dressed in sadness; no adventure, no mythology, no knowledge.