George Herbert (1593-1633)

George Herbert (1593-1633) was a Welsh Metaphysical poet and a priest. His work is known for complicated visual metaphors and the frequent use of "shape poems" (see "Easter-Wings" and "The Altar" below).

For the GRE Literature exam, associate the following works with George Herbert. Read each linked text at least once.

1. "The Pulley"
-"yet wearinesse may toss him to my breast"

2. "The Collar"
-"I will abroad"; "Call in thy death's head there" ; "Childe: And I reply'd, My Lord."

3. "Easter-Wings"
-Shaped like angel's wings, rotated 90 degrees.

4. "The Altar"
-Shaped like an altar; altar = heart

Charles Lamb (1775-1834)

Charles Lamb (1775-1834) was a Welsh essayist and minor poet. It's also notable that he knew Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Shelley personally.

For the GRE Literature exam, associate the following works with Charles Lamb.

1. Essays of Elia
-Conversational personal essays; Elia = Charles himself
2. Tales from Shakespeare
-Adaptations for children, written with his sister, Mary Lamb

Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)

Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) was a Welsh-born modernist poet. He also wrote short stories and scripts. One or two of the poems below are almost guaranteed to show up on the GRE Literature test.

For the test, associate the following works with Dylan Thomas. Poems in bold should be read at least twice before the exam.

1. "Do not go gentle into that good night"
-Know that this poem is a villanelle.
2. "And Death Shall Have No Dominion"
3. "Fern Hill"
-Known for its very lush imagery.