description Horse Latitudes Overview
'Horse Latitudes' is a poetry collection published in 2006 by Paul Muldoon, a Northern Irish poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2003. The book is structured around a central sequence of sonnets, each named after a battle site associated with the American Civil War, with the poems arranged alphabetically. The title references nautical terminology for subtropical latitudes known for calm winds. Muldoon has served as poetry editor of The New Yorker and as a professor at Princeton University.
help Horse Latitudes FAQ
Who wrote the poetry collection 'Horse Latitudes'?
'Horse Latitudes' is a highly acclaimed 2006 poetry collection written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet Paul Muldoon. Muldoon is renowned for his dense, playful, and structurally complex poetic style.
What major historical theme is explored in 'Horse Latitudes'?
The collection explores the devastating impact of war, specifically focusing on various global conflicts from the American Civil War to the Vietnam War. Muldoon intertwines these themes of violence with personal reflections and natural imagery.
What specific poetic form is featured prominently in 'Horse Latitudes'?
The book is notable for its formal experimentation, heavily utilizing a sequence of alphabetical sonnets. Each line in these specific sonnets begins with a sequential letter of the alphabet, showcasing Muldoon's technical mastery.
Where does the title 'Horse Latitudes' come from?
The title refers to the maritime latitudes around 30 degrees north and south, known for their calm, stagnant winds. Historically, sailors trapped in these windless doldrums would throw their horses overboard to conserve water, serving as a dark metaphor for sacrifice in the book.
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