Leading article: Poetic licence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.To anyone shocked by the ruthless campaign that has forced a candidate for the role of Oxford Professor of Poetry to withdraw, we would say: don't be. Few can rival composers of verse for their willingness to stoop to conquer.
In fact, the unpleasantness that has been visited upon the Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott is tame by historical standards. Swift and Pope were as famous for their feuds as their poetry, and the invective in their verse would make a modern day spin-doctor blush.
Lord Hervey cursed Pope's "wretched little carcass". Pope, in return, noted his rival's "cherub's face, a reptile all the rest". Why such venom? Some suggest the fights are so vicious because the stakes are so low. Cyril Connolly once characterised poets as "jackals snarling over a dried-up well".
Perhaps. But one lesson we can safely draw is that it is probably not a clever idea to get on the wrong side of a professional poet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments