Customer Reviews

The Shorter Poems (Penguin Classics)

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This book contains all of Spenser's important poems with the exception of the Faeie Quuene which Penguin also sells. This book is hefty at almost 900 pages, 500 of which are poems including his Shepherd Calendar. I rarely read introductions and notes but found them helpful in the case of Spenser who uses some words that are archaic, but his verse is actually very easy to get the gist of almost immediately. I found reading it aloud (much to the annoyance of my sleepy cat) helped.
AS my first introduction to Spenser I was concerned about just how difficult the poems would be to understand, but as I said his language is actually understandable and even add to the enjoyment. I was surprised how emotionally affecting the poems still are, how modern in their concerns about politics, love, life and death. I have underlined sections that I plan to revisit. I agree with the other reviwer that Spenser is a major poet who should be read by all.

This book is especially helpful if you're using it in a university-level course. It has great notes in the back to aid students in understanding Spenser's use of language and the allegory that lies behind much of his writing. I have found it very helpful in my scrutinous study of Spenser. I highly recommend this edition of his shorter poems. :)