Vergil A Biography By: Tenney Frank (1876-1939)
Vergil A Biography by Tenney Frank is an extraordinary piece of literary analysis, providing readers with a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the life and works of one of ancient Rome's most celebrated poets, Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Vergil. Frank's meticulous research combined with his eloquent storytelling skills have resulted in a biography that not only delves into the life of Vergil but also paints a vivid picture of the political, cultural, and social backdrop of Rome during his time. One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to transport readers back to ancient Rome, allowing them to immerse themselves in the vibrant and complex world which shaped Vergil's life and artistic genius. Frank masterfully weaves together historical accounts, references to Vergil's works, and scholarly analysis to provide a nuanced understanding of the context in which the poet lived, a time marked by political unrest, the rise and fall of powerful figures, and significant societal changes. The author's attention to detail is truly remarkable. From Vergil's childhood and early education, through his rise to prominence during the reign of Emperor Augustus, to his lasting influence on later generations of poets, Frank leaves no stone unturned. He skillfully examines Vergil's relationships and friendships with other notable figures of his time, shedding light on the poet's inner circle and the impact they had on his work. What sets this biography apart is the seamless integration of literary criticism throughout the narrative. Frank skillfully analyzes Vergil's poetry, dissecting its themes, structure, and historical significance, allowing readers to gain a deeper appreciation for the immense talent and artistry of the poet. This melding of historical context and literary analysis creates a rich and multifaceted portrait of Vergil, allowing readers to understand not only the personal struggles and triumphs of the poet but also the broader cultural and literary movements shaping his work. While Frank's meticulous research is evident throughout the book, at times, it can be overwhelming for readers who are less familiar with ancient Roman history or the poetry of Vergil. However, this does not detract from the overall impact and value of the biography. In fact, those willing to invest the time and effort in absorbing the wealth of knowledge presented by Frank will reap the rewards of a truly enlightening and rewarding reading experience. Vergil A Biography by Tenney Frank is a remarkable achievement, seamlessly blending historical research, literary analysis, and a captivating narrative to present a comprehensive and engrossing account of one of Rome's most revered poets. Whether you are a scholar specializing in ancient Roman history or simply a lover of poetry, this biography offers a deep exploration of Vergil's life and works, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the man, his art, and the world in which he thrived. First Page: VERGIL A Biography By TENNEY FRANK Professor of Latin in the Johns Hopkins University 1922 TO THE MEMORY OF W. WARDE FOWLER PREFACE Modern literary criticism has accustomed us to interpret our masterpieces in the light of the author's daily experiences and the conditions of the society in which he lived. The personalities of very few ancient poets, however, can be realized, and this is perhaps the chief reason why their works seem to the average man so cold and remote. Vergil's age, with its terribly intense struggles, lies hidden behind the opaque mists of twenty centuries: by his very theory of art the poet has conscientiously drawn a veil between himself and his reader, and the scraps of information about him given us by the fourth century grammarian, Donatus, are inconsistent, at best unauthenticated, and generally irrelevant. Indeed criticism has dealt hard with Donatus' life of Vergil. It has shown that the meager Vita is a conglomeration of a few chance facts set into a mass of later conjecture derived from a literal minded interpretation of the Eclogues , to which there gathered during the credulous and neurotic decades of the second and third centuries an accretion of irresponsible gossip. However, though we have had to reject many of the statements of Donatus, criticism has procured for us more than a fair compensation from another source... Continue reading book >>

Vergil A Biography By: Tenney Frank (1876-1939)

Vergil A Biography by Tenney Frank is an extraordinary piece of literary analysis, providing readers with a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the life and works of one of ancient Rome's most celebrated poets, Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Vergil. Frank's meticulous research combined with his eloquent storytelling skills have resulted in a biography that not only delves into the life of Vergil but also paints a vivid picture of the political, cultural, and social backdrop of Rome during his time.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to transport readers back to ancient Rome, allowing them to immerse themselves in the vibrant and complex world which shaped Vergil's life and artistic genius. Frank masterfully weaves together historical accounts, references to Vergil's works, and scholarly analysis to provide a nuanced understanding of the context in which the poet lived, a time marked by political unrest, the rise and fall of powerful figures, and significant societal changes.

The author's attention to detail is truly remarkable. From Vergil's childhood and early education, through his rise to prominence during the reign of Emperor Augustus, to his lasting influence on later generations of poets, Frank leaves no stone unturned. He skillfully examines Vergil's relationships and friendships with other notable figures of his time, shedding light on the poet's inner circle and the impact they had on his work.

What sets this biography apart is the seamless integration of literary criticism throughout the narrative. Frank skillfully analyzes Vergil's poetry, dissecting its themes, structure, and historical significance, allowing readers to gain a deeper appreciation for the immense talent and artistry of the poet. This melding of historical context and literary analysis creates a rich and multifaceted portrait of Vergil, allowing readers to understand not only the personal struggles and triumphs of the poet but also the broader cultural and literary movements shaping his work.

While Frank's meticulous research is evident throughout the book, at times, it can be overwhelming for readers who are less familiar with ancient Roman history or the poetry of Vergil. However, this does not detract from the overall impact and value of the biography. In fact, those willing to invest the time and effort in absorbing the wealth of knowledge presented by Frank will reap the rewards of a truly enlightening and rewarding reading experience.

Vergil A Biography by Tenney Frank is a remarkable achievement, seamlessly blending historical research, literary analysis, and a captivating narrative to present a comprehensive and engrossing account of one of Rome's most revered poets. Whether you are a scholar specializing in ancient Roman history or simply a lover of poetry, this biography offers a deep exploration of Vergil's life and works, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the man, his art, and the world in which he thrived.

First Page:

VERGIL

A Biography

TENNEY FRANK

Professor of Latin in the Johns Hopkins University

1922

THE MEMORY OF

W. WARDE FOWLER

PREFACE

Modern literary criticism has accustomed us to interpret our masterpieces in the light of the author's daily experiences and the conditions of the society in which he lived. The personalities of very few ancient poets, however, can be realized, and this is perhaps the chief reason why their works seem to the average man so cold and remote. Vergil's age, with its terribly intense struggles, lies hidden behind the opaque mists of twenty centuries: by his very theory of art the poet has conscientiously drawn a veil between himself and his reader, and the scraps of information about him given us by the fourth century grammarian, Donatus, are inconsistent, at best unauthenticated, and generally irrelevant.

Indeed criticism has dealt hard with Donatus' life of Vergil. It has shown that the meager Vita is a conglomeration of a few chance facts set into a mass of later conjecture derived from a literal minded interpretation of the Eclogues , to which there gathered during the credulous and neurotic decades of the second and third centuries an accretion of irresponsible gossip.

However, though we have had to reject many of the statements of Donatus, criticism has procured for us more than a fair compensation from another source... Continue reading book >>

eBook links
Wikipedia – Tenney Frank
Wikipedia – Vergil A Biography

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac