Wystan Hugh Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Wystan Hugh Auden was a celebrated English poet who is often referred to by his pen name, W.H. Auden.
Birth and Death Dates
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Auden was born on February 21, 1907, in York, England, and passed away on September 28, 1973, in Vienna, Austria.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: English
Professions: Poet, playwright, novelist, librettist, editor
Auden was a multifaceted artist who made significant contributions to various literary genres. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
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Auden grew up in a devout Anglican family in South Yorkshire. His father, George Augustus Auden, was a doctor, and his mother, Constance Bessie Rossetti Auden, came from an artistic background. The young Auden developed a passion for writing at an early age and began composing poetry while still in school.
Major Accomplishments
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Throughout his career, Auden achieved numerous accolades, including:
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature: In recognition of his outstanding literary contributions.
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom: A position he held from 1930 to 1932.
Pulitzer Prize for Poetry: Awarded in 1947 for "The Age of Anxiety".
Order of Merit: Conferred by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Auden's most notable works include:
"The Orators" (1932): A collection of poetry that explores themes of politics, morality, and personal identity.
"Look Back with Love" (1940): A novel that blends elements of autobiography and fiction to explore the complexities of human relationships.
* "Age of Anxiety" (1947): A long poem that delves into the nature of anxiety and its effects on modern society.
Impact and Legacy
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Auden's impact on 20th-century literature is immeasurable. His innovative style, which blended traditional forms with modernist experimentation, influenced generations of poets. His poetry continues to be widely read and studied today, offering insights into the human condition that remain relevant in our contemporary world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Auden's quotes are often invoked for their wisdom, wit, and insight into the complexities of human experience. He is remembered as a poet who was unafraid to explore difficult themes and push the boundaries of language. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of our shared humanity.
As we continue to navigate the challenges of modern life, Auden's words offer guidance, comfort, and inspiration. His commitment to exploring the complexities of human nature continues to resonate with readers around the world, ensuring that his poetry remains an integral part of our cultural heritage for generations to come.
Quotes by Wystan Hugh Auden
Health is the state about which medicine has nothing to say: Sanctity is the state about which theology has nothing to say.
It takes little talent to see clearly what lies under one's nose, a good deal of it to know in which direction to point that organ.
What people don't realize is that intimacy has its conventions as well as ordinary social intercourse. There are three cardinal rules -- don't take somebody else's boyfriend unless you've been specifically invited to do so, don't take a drink without being asked, and keep a scrupulous accounting in financial matters.
It is... axiomatic that we should all think of ourselves as being more sensitive than other people because, when we are insensitive in our dealings with others, we cannot be aware of it at the time: conscious insensitivity is a self-contradiction.
No good opera plot can be sensible:... people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.
May it not be that, just as we have faith in Him, God has to have faith in us and, considering the history of the human race so far, may it not be that faith is even more difficult for Him than it is for us?
The only way to spend New Year's Eve is either quietly with friends or in a brothel. Otherwise when the evening ends and people pair off, someone is bound to be left in tears.
To read is to translate, for no two persons' experiences are the same. A bad reader is like a bad translator: he interprets literally when he ought to paraphrase and paraphrases when he ought to interpret literally.