Member-only story

100 Poets: Little Anthology by Victor Hugo: A Journey into the Masters of Verse

W.H. Auden

·14.2k Followers· Follow

Published in 100 Poets: A Little Anthology Victor Hugo

5 min read

981 View Claps

67 Respond

Save

Listen

In the vast tapestry of literature, poetry stands as a vibrant thread, weaving together emotions, ideas, and experiences. Among the countless poets who have graced the world with their words, Victor Hugo stands as a towering figure, his verse resonating with passion, imagination, and profound humanity. His "100 Poets: Little Anthology" is a testament to his discerning eye and his deep appreciation for the poetic arts.

A Curated Collection

Published in 1881, "100 Poets" is a carefully crafted anthology that presents a diverse range of poetic voices from across time and cultures. From the ancient bard Homer to the modern master William Wordsworth, Hugo assembled a collection that spanned centuries and continents.

100 Poets: A Little Anthology

by Victor Hugo

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8221 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	316 pages

Each poet in the anthology is represented by a single poem, showcasing their unique style and themes. Hugo's selections provide a glimpse into the minds and hearts of some of history's greatest writers, offering a rich tapestry of emotions, perspectives, and artistic expression.

French and International Poets

As a French poet himself, Hugo naturally included a significant representation of French poets in his anthology. From the medieval troubadours to the Romantic giants of his own era, Hugo celebrated the rich poetic tradition of his native language.

However, "100 Poets" also ventures beyond France's borders, showcasing poets from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and other countries. Hugo's eclectic selection demonstrates his belief in the universality of poetry, its ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries.

A Reflection of Hugo's Influences

While Hugo's anthology encompasses a wide range of voices, it also provides insights into his own literary influences and predilections. The inclusion of poets such as Dante, Shakespeare, and Schiller reflects Hugo's deep admiration for the masters of European literature.

Moreover, the anthology highlights Hugo's fascination with the Romantic movement. Many of the poets he selected were leading figures of Romanticism, sharing his passion for emotion, imagination, and the sublime.

Literary Themes and Motifs

The poems in Hugo's anthology explore a diverse range of themes, mirroring the richness and complexity of the human experience. Love, loss, nature, faith, and social justice are just a few of the subjects that poets delve into.

Throughout the anthology, Hugo's own themes of exile, revolution, and the indomitable spirit of humankind also resonate. His selections reveal his deep engagement with the political and social issues of his time.

The Legacy of "100 Poets"

"100 Poets" has had a profound impact on the literary world since its publication. It has served as a source of inspiration for generations of poets and readers, introducing them to the power and beauty of verse.

The anthology's enduring popularity is a testament to Hugo's curatorial genius. His discerning eye and deep understanding of poetry allowed him to assemble a collection that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.

The Poets Featured in the Anthology

The following is a list of the 100 poets featured in Victor Hugo's "100 Poets: Little Anthology":

1. Homer 2. Pindar 3. Aeschylus 4. Sophocles 5. Euripides 6. Callimachus 7. Sappho 8. Anacreon 9. Theocritus 10. Virgil 11. Horace 12. Ovid 13. Lucan 14. Juvenal 15. Statius 16. Ausonius 17. Claudian 18. Boethius 19. Fortunatus 20. Venantius Fortunatus 21. Dante 22. Petrarch 23. Boccaccio 24. Chaucer 25. Villon 26. Ronsard 27. Du Bellay 28. Montaigne 29. Rabelais 30. Corneille 31. Racine 32. Molière 33. Boileau 34. La Fontaine 35. Voltaire 36. Rousseau 37. Diderot 38. Beaumarchais 39. André Chénier 40. Lamartine 41. Hugo 42. Musset 43. Gautier 44. Nerval 45. Baudelaire 46. Leconte de Lisle 47. Verlaine 48. Rimbaud 49. Heredia 50. Mallarmé 51. Verhaeren 52. Francis Jammes 53. William Blake 54. Samuel Taylor Coleridge 55. William Wordsworth 56. Percy Bysshe Shelley 57. John Keats 58. Lord Byron 59. Alfred, Lord Tennyson 60. Robert Browning 61. Elizabeth Barrett Browning 62. Christina Rossetti 63. William Butler Yeats 64. Federico García Lorca 65. Antonio Machado 66. Juan Ramón Jiménez 67. Goethe 68. Friedrich Schiller 69. Heinrich Heine 70. Friedrich Hölderlin 71. Novalis 72. Clemens Brentano 73. Achim von Arnim 74. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 75. Friedrich Schiller 76. Alexander Pushkin 77. Mikhail Lermontov 78. Fyodor Tyutchev 79. Afanasy Fet 80. Konstantin Balmont 81. Anna Akhmatova 82. Osip Mandelstam 83. Boris Pasternak 84. Juan de la Cruz 85. Luis de León 86. Francisco de Quevedo 87. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 88. Rubén Darío 99. Antero de Quental 100. José Maria de Heredia

Victor Hugo's "100 Poets: Little Anthology" is a literary masterpiece that showcases the breadth and depth of poetry throughout history. Through his discerning selections, Hugo invites readers to embark on a journey through the minds and hearts of some of the world's greatest poets.

The anthology is a testament to Hugo's deep appreciation for the poetic arts and his belief in the power of verse to inspire, move, and illuminate the human experience. It continues to be a source of inspiration and delight for readers today, offering a timeless glimpse into the rich tapestry of human creativity.

100 Poets: A Little Anthology

by Victor Hugo

4.7 out of 5