He is the first of our writers whose style is cloathed with that perspicuity, in which the English phraseology appears at this day to an English reader:Whether his subject be the life of a hermit or a hero, of saint Austin or Guy earl of Warwick, ludicrous or legendary, religious or romantic, a history or an allegory, he writes with facility.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lydgate was the first writer to use clear English that readers today can understand, writing easily on many topics.
- In plain terms
- He wrote in clear English that is still easy to read now.
- What can you take from it?
- Clarity in language endures over time.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does clarity make writing better?
Another view
Modern readers may still find him hard.
More from John Lydgate
In images of horror, and in a certain terrible greatness, our author comes far behind Chaucer. Whether they were not suited to the genius or the temper of Lydg…
Permalink to quote #19 A voluminous, prosaick, and drivelling Monk.
Permalink to quote #21 Comparable with Chawcer, yet more occupyed in supersticious and odde matters than was requesite in so good a wytte.
Permalink to quote #18
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