The open sea

"The Open Sea" by Edgar Lee Masters is a collection of poetic works written in the early 20th century. This compilation delves into historical figures and moments, weaving a tapestry of themes including love, betrayal, and virtue as seen through the lens of significant historical events and personas such as Brutus, Antony, and Lincoln. Masters employs rich language and emotional depth to explore the complex interplay between personal ambitions and wider societal implications. At the start of the book, readers are introduced to "Brutus," where Lucilius reflects on his past during a feast in Rome. The narrative initiates a discussion on Brutus and Antony's intertwined destinies against the backdrop of treachery and loyalty. Lucilius shares memories of pivotal events, particularly Brutus’ philosophical grappling with virtue and moral choices, contrasting it with Antony’s passionate yet misguided pursuits. This opening sets a tone of introspection and philosophical inquiry, prompting readers to consider the deeper implications of heroism, failure, and the intrinsic conflicts within human nature as navigated by these historical characters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edgar Lee Masters was an American attorney, poet, biographer, and dramatist. He is the author of Spoon River Anthology, The New Star Chamber and Other Essays, Songs and Satires, The Great Valley, The Serpent in the Wilderness, An Obscure Tale, The Spleen, Mark Twain: A Portrait, Lincoln: The Man, and Illinois Poems. In all, Masters published twelve plays, twenty-one books of poetry, six novels and six biographies, including those of Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Vachel Lindsay, and Walt Whitman.