This introductory study provides a comprehensive and coherent account of
all Andrew Marvell's poetry for those with no specialised knowledge of
seventeenth-century literature and history. After a brief account of
Marvell's career as student, private tutor, civil servant, and Member of
Parliament, there follow six chapters dealing with the major body of
lyrical poetry according to subject matter or thematic context. Since
inexperienced readers often encounter difficulties with the allusive
nature of Marvell's art, it is a particular feature of this book that it
provides sufficient information on the literary, cultural and political
context of the work without sacrificing an appreciation of the aesthetic
qualities and the ironic wit and burnout for which Marvell's verse is
celebrated. In the final chapter Dr Wilcher discusses the public writing
in verse and prose which occupied Marvell's later years in relation to
political developments under Oliver Cromwell and Charles II.