The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 05 (of 12)

Step into the vibrant world of early‑19‑century literary criticism with a series of lectures that explore the very heartbeat of poetry. In these talks, a keen observer of art and human nature dissects what makes verse resonate, from the raw impulse of imagination to the subtle harmonies of sound. He invites listeners to see poetry not merely as structured lines on a page, but as the living expression of every emotion that stirs the human heart.

The opening lecture sets the tone, defining poetry as the natural impression of any vivid experience and arguing that every facet of life—from a rolling sea to a blooming flower—contains its own verse. Drawing on examples from Shakespeare to contemporary poets, the speaker shows how poetry shapes our perception of fear, hope, love, and even the mundane. With lively prose and vivid analogies, these lectures offer a timeless guide to appreciating the poetic thread woven through everyday existence.