Primary sourceSpeech1773
To Maecenas
Phillis Wheatley · 1773
The opening poem of Phillis Wheatley's 1773 collection, invoking classical poets like Homer and Virgil to claim her place in literary tradition.
As the opening poem of her published collection, it shows how Wheatley positioned herself within the classical literary tradition.
About this source
What it is
This is the first poem in Phillis Wheatley's 1773 book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. It addresses a patron figure using the classical model of Maecenas, the Roman patron of poets.
The poem draws on Homer, Virgil, and the African-born Roman playwright Terence.
Why it matters
Scholars note Wheatley's deep engagement with Classical literature set her work apart. By invoking Terence, an African-born classical writer, Wheatley signals her awareness of her own unusual position as a Black poet working within a European literary tradition.
Look closer
- Why might Wheatley open her book with a poem about patronage and classical poets?
- What does her reference to Terence suggest she wanted readers to understand about her identity?
- What barriers might Wheatley have faced in being taken seriously as a classical poet?
This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Phyllis Wheatley on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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