THE "BUTLERS" WEBSITE

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Butler, Samuel (1612-1680): English Poet and Satirist, born on a Farm, near Pershore, Worcestershire.  He wrote the long Mock Verse, Heroic poem, Hudibras (Part I: 1663, Part II: 1664, Part III: 1678), a Satire, on Puritanism, in octosyllabic couplets, inspired by the Seventeeth Century Spanish Novel: Don Quixote (which will, definitely, be reviewed, in it's own right, at a later date! Marie Birch), by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. The first part of Hudibras, was published, during 1663, the second part, during 1664, and the third part, during 1678. Although, the Poem, was a popular success, and he met, with the favour of King Charles II of England, Butler died in poverty. Nearly a century, after his death, two volumes of his Satirical Works, were published, as Genuine Remains in Verse and Prose of Mr Samuel Butler (1759).  The Collection, includes, a set of Satires, called: "Characters" and another Satire, called: "The Elephant in the Moon".

The characters, in Hudibras, include familiar figures, of Butler's day, as well as Historical figures.  Butler, especially ridiculed, the hypocrisy and intolerance, he saw, among Puritan Religious Groups. But the Poem, is more concerned, with human nature and human failings.

Little is known, about Butler, before he gained fame, with the Publication of Hudibras. 

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PAGE LAST UPDATED: 1ST NOVEMBER 2008

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