This program explores four classic poems: "Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria" by Langston Hughes, "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Of Many Words in This World" by Margaret Cavendish, and "The Arrival of the Bee Box" by Sylvia Plath. Poets Patience Agbabi, Michael Donaghy, W. N. Herbert, John Kinsella, Clare Pollard, and Owen Sheers read the selections with consideration to their rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and themes.

Considered one of the most influential poems in the English language, Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" is a fusion of Arthurian romance and Italian Renaissance epic styles. Written in the 16th century, the poem is heavily laced with allegory and metaphor. Spenser wrote the bulk of the poem while serving as a private secretary in Ireland, and dedicated it to Queen Elizabeth I. Divided into six books, the fantastical "Faerie Queene" explores a world...

The Poetry Hall of Fame showcases more than 130 of the world's best-known poems cleverly performed and artistically interpreted by The First Poetry Quartet and celebrity guests. Simply an incredible collection of great writers and a wonderful journey through great poems. Within these words one may find all the love, joy, hope, fear, enchantment, and humor that is the human spirit.

William Shatner, Tom Poston, Eleanor Ayer, Frances Sternhagen, James Broderick, and Ralph Bunker perform EE. Cumming's poetry and George Santayana's essays on this episode of Camera Three.

On this episode of Camera Three, Michele Collision and Elizabeth Swados sing the poetry of Sylvia Plath. Selections include Elm, You're, The Applicant, Ariel, Daddy, Lady Lazarus and Getting There.

On this episode of Camera Three, Richard Burton reflects on the life of Dylan Thomas as he roams New York City. Sitting in a bar Thomas favored, Burton recites A Child's Christmas in Wales.

On this episode of Camera Three, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee perform poetry about the African-American experience. Excerpts include verses from Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sterling Brown, Frank Horne, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Margaret Walker.

On this episode of Camera Three, Basil Bunting, English poet from Northumberland, reads excerpts of his poetry. Introduction and commentary is provided by actor, Patrick MacNee. Recitations include portions from What the Chairman told Tom, Villon, The Spoils, Briggflatts and Odes.

A fascinating chapter in the history of the English language is illustrated by the 10th-century Norse village excavated in present-day York. A careful, scholarly reconstruction of the site demonstrates life in England around the time of the Domesday Book-roughly equidistant between Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales. The program explains the Norse element in the English language.

In this engaging 1989 documentary, Maria Beatty explores the insights and influences of the American Beat poets. The film conveys their consciousness and sensibility through candid interviews with William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Diane di Prima, among others. Designed as a tribute to the poets and to their spirit of artistic freedom, Gang of Souls also weaves in additional commentary from contemporary musicians, poets and writers such as Marianne...