Geoffrey Hill

Poet

Geoffrey Hill was a British poet known for his complex exploration of language and identity, particularly in works like 'Mercian Hymns.'

Born
June 18, 1932
Died
June 30, 2016
Quotes
12
Rank
#3614

About Geoffrey Hill

Geoffrey Hill — Life and Legacy

Geoffrey Hill, a prominent British poet, is celebrated for his intricate engagement with language and identity. His notable work, 'Mercian Hymns,' reflects a deep understanding of how language shapes human experience, often intertwining personal and historical narratives. Hill's poetry is marked by a distinctive style that challenges conventional forms, pushing the boundaries of what poetry can express. In his exploration of identity, Hill often grapples with the tension between the individual and the collective. His assertion that 'language is a form of life' encapsulates his belief in the profound impact of words on our understanding of self and society. This idea is evident in quotes that reveal the complexities of identity, as Hill navigates the intricate layers of personal and cultural history. The relevance of Hill's work endures, as his quotes continue to resonate with readers seeking to understand the nuances of their own identities. His ability to articulate the struggles of defining oneself in a multifaceted world remains a powerful influence on contemporary poetry.

Quote collection

Geoffrey Hill quotes

12 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"Snooki is a bestselling author? Huh? What? I don't know if I should dumb down my book, shoot myself or find a publisher who'll settle for a rough draft written on a Pop-Tart and a coconut lotion handie."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"I think art has a right — not an obligation — to be difficult if it wishes. And, since people generally go on from this to talk about elitism versus democracy, I would add that genuinely difficult art is truly democratic."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"We are difficult. Human beings are difficult. We're difficult to ourselves, we're difficult to each other. And we are mysteries to ourselves, we are mysteries to each other. One encounters in any ordinary day far more real difficulty than one confronts in the most “intellectual” piece of work. Why is it believed that poetry, prose, painting, music should be less than we are? Why does music, why does poetry have to address us in simplified terms, when if such simplification were applied to a description of our own inner selves we would find it demeaning?"

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"... one of the things the tyrant most cunningly engineers is the gross over-simplification of language, because propaganda requires that the minds of the collective respond primitively to slogans of incitement."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"Public toilets have a duty to be accessible, poetry does not."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"September fattens on vines. Roses flake from the wall. The smoke of harmless fires drifts to my eyes. This is plenty. This is more than enough."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"Platonic England, house of solitudes, rests in its laurels and its injured stone"

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"As estimated, you died. Things marched, sufficient, to that end. Just so much Zyklon and leather, patented terror, so many routine cries."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"Autumn resumes the land, ruffles the woods with smoky wings, entangles them."

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Geoffrey Hill Poet
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"We are difficult. Human beings are difficult. We’re difficult to ourselves, we’re difficult to each other."

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