Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 3

Robert Bridges, who served as England's Poet Laureate from 1913 to 1930, brings his formidable classical erudition and technical mastery to this collection of dramatic poetry. Volume III showcases his ambitious experiments in theatrical form, pairing "The First Part of Nero" , a sweeping historical tragedy that probes the corrupting nature of absolute power , with "Achilles in Scyros," a sophisticated dramatization that weaves together tragedy, romance, and the heroic code. These works reveal Bridges at his most intellectually ambitious, wrestling with questions of political legitimacy, familial betrayal, and the philosophical foundations of rule. The verse carries the weight of Greek tragedy while addressing distinctly Victorian anxieties about modernity and authority. For readers drawn to the grand traditions of dramatic poetry, this volume offers both historical richness and psychological depth.