C. E. M. Joad quote

[Rumo]

It doesn't seem like you know the definition of epic poetry, but are interested in mere argumentation instead.

You seem to be the one lacking knowledge when asking all great poetry to be epic and all poets to be compared to Milton or Virgil.

Epic is a genre, not the archetype of poetry.

For example you have estimate postmodern poetry as equally valid as normative (i.e. "modern") Western poetry, when it is a perversion of the latter. A person with mere poetical pretensions does not a Milton make, as I said.

Maybe for some the clock stopped ticking in the 17th century and Europe is no larger than England (or England and France).

As for post-modernism, just because you have no knowledge or skill to assess its literature it doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that it doesn't have value.

Since you seem to be more interested in defense and objections than in definitions, I think I'll refrain from further input.

I defend against vicious and aggressive ignorance - I'm an European proud of our cultural heritage and diversity.

[Robert Vermaat]

I am reading all this with interest; what a nice place RAT can be.

I agree, although this discussion seems to disgress. Stay civil, people.

[Rumo]

Then let's make this thread a nicer place:

La lune plaquait ses teintes de zinc
Par angles obtus.
Des bouts de fumée en forme de cinq
Sortaient drus et noirs des hauts toits pointus.

Le ciel était gris. La bise pleurait
Ainsi qu'un basson.
Au loin, un matou frileux et discret
Miaulait d'étrange et grêle façon.

Moi, j'allais, rêvant du divin Platon
Et de Phidias,
Et de Salamine et de Marathon,
Sous l'oeil clignotant des bleus becs de gaz.

Paul Verlaine - Croquis parisien

[caiusbeerquitius]

So that was it, then?