Firmly grounded by the hallmark strengths of all Norton Anthologies—thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible—The Norton Anthology of English Literature has been revitalized in this Eighth Edition through the collaboration between six new editors and six seasoned ones. Under the direction of Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor, the editors have reconsidered all aspects of the anthology to make it an even better teaching tool.
Through three editions over four decades, this encyclopedia has established itself as the most comprehensive reference for students, scholars, and poets on poetry's history, movements, genres, prosody, rhetorical devices, and critical terms. The thoroughly revised fourth edition, the first in nearly twenty years, incorporates recent developments in literary and cultural studies and emphasizes the international dimensions of poetry while retaining the strengths of previous volumes. With over a million words and more than 1,000 entries, it offers unparalleled breadth and depth. Entries vary from brief paragraphs to extensive essays of up to 15,000 words, providing expert synthesis and essential bibliographies that surpass conventional handbooks. This updated edition features over 250 new entries on recent terms and movements, broader international coverage with articles on poetry from over 110 nations, and enhanced focus on non-Western and developing world poetries. Additionally, bibliographies and cross-references have been updated, and the new page design is user-friendly. For the first time, it is fully indexed, making it an indispensable resource for anyone engaged with poetry.
