Arthur Hugh Clough 
Amours De Voyage 

Arthur Hugh Clough’s ‘Amours De Voyage’ is an engaging verse-novel that explores themes of love, politics, and cultural identity. Set against the backdrop of the Italian revolutionary movements of the 1840s, the book follows the romantic adventures of a group of young travelers as they navigate the complexities of relationships and ideals. Clough’s lyrical style and use of multiple narrators create a rich tapestry of voices and perspectives, making ‘Amours De Voyage’ a unique and compelling read in the Victorian literary landscape. The book blends elements of romance, social commentary, and historical fiction, making it a captivating and thought-provoking work. Clough’s insightful exploration of personal and political conflicts gives the novel a depth and relevance that still resonates with readers today.

Mengenai Pengarang

Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861) was an English poet and intellectual of notable repute in the Victorian era. His work is characterized by a rigorous questioning of traditional faith and morality, often set against the canvas of travel and classical allusions. Clough’s literary style is marked by a blend of skepticism and romanticism, as well as a free use of meter that anticipates the vers libre movement. Among his many works, ‘Amours De Voyage’ is a particularly distinguished poem, penned during his travels in 1849. The poem is a verse epistle that captures the protagonist’s emotional turmoil amidst the backdrop of the Roman Republic’s revolutionary turmoil. Clough’s poetic expression deftly juxtaposes the personal and political, creating a tapestry of introspective thought that reflects the broader existential and societal struggles of his time. Both admired and critiqued for his unconventionality, Clough’s influence extended to subsequent generations of poets, including his friend Matthew Arnold, who depicted him in the elegiac work ‘Thyrsis’. While Clough’s literary output was not large, his works such as the ‘The Bothie of Tober-na-Vuolich’, ‘Dipsychus’, and ‘Amours De Voyage’ continue to garner scholarly attention for their insightful exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of moral choice in a changing world.