Alexander’s Feast
work by Dryden
Quick Summary
"Alexander's Feast" is a poem by John Dryden, not a work by Alexander the Great. The poem, published in 1697, is an ode that celebrates Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. It uses the story of Alexander the Great and his companion Thais at a banquet to illustrate the power of music to evoke strong emotions, from martial fervor to sorrow and ultimately, repentance. The poem is renowned for its vivid imagery and powerful descriptions of music's influence.1
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