American and British Poets?

Question

Can someone help me?

I need to find a poet who's work is a reflection of their national and cultural heritage. And show how it's a reflection of this. But I don't know anything about poetry. So if you know a poet who's work was greatly influenced by their historical and cultural background, please tell me.

Thank you so much.

Another option is to show how the Poet’s body of work reflects a particular theme.

Answer 1

Robert Frost (American)- most of his poems were influenced by his living in the New England area.

Answer 2

Well, for British poets, it's hard to think of anyone better than Shakespeare:

"The century between the Restoration and David Garrick's Stratford Jubilee saw William Shakespeare's promotion from the status of archaic, rustic playwright to that of England's timeless Bard, and with it the complete transformation of the ways in which his plays were staged, published, and read. But why Shakespeare? and what different interests did this process serve? The Making of the National Poet is the first full-length study since the 1920s of the Restoration's and eighteenth century's revisions and revaluations of Shakespeare, and the first to consider the period's much-reviled stage adaptations in the context of the profound cultural changes in which they participate. Drawing on a wide range of evidence--including engravings, promptbooks, diaries, statuary, and previously unpublished poems, it examines how and why Shakespeare was retrospectively claimed as both a respectable Enlightenment author and a crucial and contested symbol of British national identity. Through engaging and informative analysis, Dobson's book provides the definitive account of the theater's role in establishing Shakespeare as Britain's National Poet."

"Shakespeare never saw that kind of adoration while he was alive. Back then he was the pop-culture king, the Elizabethan James Cameron — entertaining, yes, but you wouldn't really take him seriously. It was not until 100 years after he died that he started getting some respect. By the 18th century, Britain was established as a military power and wanted to show it had brains to go with the brawn. "There was a strong sense that if Britain was a great modern state, as Rome was in ancient times, it must have a canon of classic British literature, as the Romans had their Horace, Ovid and Virgil," says Bate. "As part of establishing high culture in Britain, Shakespeare became the national poet." Now, he's a symbol of artistry, intelligence and wisdom. His work is recommended reading for schoolkids all over the world. In 1988, Britain introduced a national curriculum that doesn't prescribe any specific author or text … except Shakespeare.
Before they even understand why, kids are taught that Shakespeare is the greatest writer of all time. Most of them grow up to be adults who still believe it — and who buy books. The market for Shakespeare books is too huge to measure, but in 2004, there were around 125 books by or about the Bard published in Britain alone.

Answer 3

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet whose work was greatly influenced by his background. Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet similarly influenced.

Both Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman were Americans whose American-ness is clear in their work. They bring very difference perspectives to their poetry, but you'll be able to appreciate the cultural history each carries with them in their work if you read any of their poems. ee cummings and Carl Sandburg are also great American poets, as is Emily Dickinson.

Answer 4

If you really want to impress your teacher choose Phyllis Wheatley. She was an African-American slave in America in the 18th Century . . . and is arguably one of our first great American poets.

Answer 5

Well, Shakespeare's funniest work was taken completely from the political/social environment of his time.