The Didactic Muse

Contemporary American poets are revisiting the dual purpose of poetry: to educate and entertain, according to Willard Spiegelman. Through insightful analyses of poets like Nemerov, Ginsberg, and Rich, he challenges traditional views on poetry's role, emphasizing its didactic nature. Spiegelman opens with a reflection on W. H. Auden's influence and concludes with a discussion of James Merrill's The Changing Light at Sandover, showcasing its educational depth. He argues that modern poets are increasingly embracing the classical idea that poetry should instruct as well as delight.