Words Instead of Weapons: The historical and cultural significance of Committed Poetry in France

This project is dedicated to considering the origins and tradition of La Poésie Engagée / Committed Poetry – a form of French poetry in which a poet engages with the political and social conflicts of their time and utilises their literary abilities to share their political sympathies and personal ethi cs. A complex and i ntriguing jewel of French Literature, this project reflects upon three key periods of French history in which La Poésie Engagée was founded and developed. Upon analysing key poets from each period, as well as the relevant social and historical contexts which inspired them, this project will conclude by contemplating and identifying the relevancy of La Poésie Engagée within the current social and poltical climate of modern France as well as the legacy of Le Poète Engagé