Walter Scott published his second full-length narrative poem

in February 1808. His letters and Lockhart’s

indicate that he began working on it by early November 1806. Thus,

was composed more rapidly than

(1805), which had taken Scott at least three years to write. Arguably, Scott’s haste shows. Early critics found stylistic and historical infelicities on grounds of which they attacked the poem.

nevertheless benefited from the established popularity of the

and it consolidated Scott’s success as a poet. Demand for

demonstrates the phenomenal level of interest in Scott’s writing, even in the years before he began publishing the novels for which he is now…

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Citation: Oliver, Susan. "Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3710, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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