Inspiration and Utmost Art : The Poetics of Early Modern English Psalm Translations

Zusammenfassung: This study is concerned with Early Modern English psalm translations. It focusses on the connection between inspiration and formal perfection as it appears in George Wither's A Preparation to the Psalter, Philip Sidney's The Defence of Poesy, the Sidney Psalter and the Bay Psalm Book. Taking into account theological, philosophical, and literary contexts of the time, it reveals the struggle to find a suitable language in praise of God as a main concern of Early Modern religious writers, and presents concepts which are highly relevant for the religious poetry of the time "This study is concerned with Early Modern English psalm translations. It focuses on the connection between inspiration and formal perfection as it appears in George Wither's 'A Preparation to the Psalter, ' Philip Sidney's 'The Defence of Poesy, ' the 'Sidney Psalter, ' as well as the 'Bay Psalm Book.' The authors of these texts want to know how God can become present in a translation of the psalms, and how the psalms can effectively move their readers. Taking into account literary, theological, and philosophical contexts of the time, this study reveals the struggle to find a suitable language in praise of God as a main concern of Early Modern religious writers, and presents concepts which are highly relevant for the religious poetry of the time."--Back cover Cover Vorwort zur ReiheReligion und Literatur / Religion and Literature Preface to the SeriesReligion und Literatur / Religion and Literature Contents Preface I. Introduction II. A Preparation to the Psalter III. Defences of Biblical Style IV. The Defence of Poesy V. The Sidney Psalter VI. The Bay Psalm Book VII. Conclusion IX. Index