Didactic poems are among the most influential literary genres of the European Enlightenment. This comparative study examines representative didactic poems from 18th century German, English, and French literature, analyzes their objectives and processes, and situates them in their epistemological and cultural historical contexts. Moreover, it shows that these poems continued to have an impact beyond the 18th century.

Autorentext

Olav Krämer, Universität Osnabrück.