Nahum Tate Restoration Poet Laureate
The Literary Servant of the Crown
Nahum Tate, the Restoration Poet Laureate, shaped the moral tone of post-1688 literature. He adapted Shakespeare. He reworked sacred texts. He aligned poetry with politics. Though rarely praised today, his influence stretched across theater, religion, and monarchy. He was a loyal craftsman—not a bold original—but his work defined official Restoration literature.
Early Life and Irish Roots
Nahum Tate was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1652. His father, Faithful Teate, was a Puritan clergyman and poet. Nahum studied at Trinity College, Dublin. There, he developed his love for verse and drama. He moved to London in the 1670s, seeking literary success. Quickly, he began publishing poems and translating works. His Irish background gave him a unique voice among English writers.
Literary Beginnings and Theatrical Ventures
Tate started with poetry. His early verse followed classical forms and royalist themes. He celebrated monarchy and divine order. In 1677, he entered the stage with Brutus of Alba. The play was well-received. Later, he partnered with John Dryden on Absalom and Achitophel, part two. This alliance linked him to Tory politics and heroic verse. His career gained traction quickly.
Nahum Tate as Adapter of Shakespeare
The History of King Lear – The Happy Ending
Tate’s most famous and controversial work is his 1681 adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. He removed the tragic ending. Cordelia lives. Lear regains the throne. Audiences applauded. Critics later groaned. For over 150 years, Tate’s version replaced Shakespeare’s. He believed tragedy should reward virtue. His version matched Restoration tastes. It emphasized justice, order, and moral clarity.
Other Shakespeare Adaptations
Tate also revised Richard II, Coriolanus, and Macbeth. He simplified language, adjusted plots, and softened endings. His goal was not betrayal—but accessibility. He brought Shakespeare to common audiences. He reshaped the Bard for his century.
Appointment as Poet Laureate
In 1692, Nahum Tate was appointed Poet Laureate. He replaced Thomas Shadwell after his death. The appointment confirmed Tate’s alignment with Whig power and the Church of England. As laureate, he composed birthday odes, public poems, and official verses. His work praised royal births, victories, and policies. Though often dull, it fulfilled the role of national voice. He held the post until his death.
Sacred Work – New Version of the Psalms
Tate co-authored A New Version of the Psalms of David with Nicholas Brady in 1696. This metrical psalter replaced the older Sternhold-Hopkins version. It became the official psalmbook of the Church of England. Congregations sang Tate’s verses across Britain. His version of Psalm 34, “Through all the changing scenes of life,” remains famous. This work gave him lasting spiritual legacy.
Themes and Moral Direction
Virtue Rewarded
Tate’s writing reflects a deep belief in moral order. Goodness should triumph. Evil must fall. His changes to Lear show this clearly. His tragedies end in restoration, not ruin.
Authority and Stability
He praised monarchy, church, and family. His works reinforced the social order. He believed literature should teach obedience and grace.
Clarity Over Complexity
Tate avoided deep ambiguity. He simplified stories. He wanted readers to learn, not struggle. His verse preferred clarity to complexity.
Literary Style and Techniques
Clear, Formal Language
Tate wrote in clean couplets and plain diction. He followed classical models. He avoided poetic obscurity. His odes followed strict forms.
Predictable Rhyme and Moral Closure
His rhymes often feel expected. His endings always resolve. Conflict gives way to order. He chose simplicity over surprise.
Lack of Innovation
Tate rarely broke new ground. He followed trends. He wrote for patronage, not glory. Still, his craftsmanship earned him recognition.
Criticism and Modern Reputation
Seen as Dull
Critics often dismiss Tate as uninspired. His odes lack spark. His plays feel forced. Even his friends admired his loyalty more than his genius.
Blamed for Ruining Shakespeare
Tate’s King Lear became a symbol of literary interference. Later scholars called it sentimental and weak. They restored Shakespeare’s tragic ending. Today, Tate’s version is rarely staged.
Defender of Accessibility
Some scholars defend Tate. They argue he helped preserve Shakespeare during dangerous times. His edits protected theater from censorship. He made plays safe—and therefore survivable.
Personal Life and Struggles
Despite his official success, Tate struggled with money. He lived modestly, sometimes poorly. Late in life, he faced debt. He died in 1715, in South London, reportedly in a charity home. His death was quiet. His legacy, though controversial, endured.
Legacy in English Literature
Psalmody and Public Worship
His psalms echoed in churches for over two centuries. Many remain in hymnals. This influence shaped religious life more than his drama.
Adaptation as Art
Tate helped define adaptation. He showed how writers reshape old texts for new times. Though rejected today, his approach set a model for centuries.
The Laureate’s Role
He defined the Laureate as political poet. He praised monarchy, nation, and peace. Later Laureates followed his pattern.
Comparison with Restoration Writers
Unlike Rochester, Tate avoided scandal. Unlike Dryden, he lacked poetic fire. Unlike Shadwell, he offered no realism. Yet, he served his age faithfully. He fit the Restoration mood: cautious, moral, loyal. His verse echoed court values. He gave the elite their poetic mirror.
Conclusion
Nahum Tate, Restoration Poet Laureate, adapted, praised, and preserved. He shaped how England read its Bible and watched its Shakespeare. His pen did not blaze, but it served. He softened Lear. He wrote for kings. He gave order to chaos. Though mocked now, he mattered then. He remains a loyal craftsman of a complex age. Nahum Tate showed that even quiet poets could shape nations—one verse at a time.
The Neoclassical Period in English Literature: https://englishlitnotes.com/2025/06/28/neoclassical-period-in-english-literature/
John Steinbeck as a Modernist Writer: https://americanlit.englishlitnotes.com/john-steinbeck-modernist-writer/
Application for Readmission: https://englishwithnaeemullahbutt.com/2025/05/20/application-fee-concession/
That vs Which: https://grammarpuzzlesolved.englishlitnotes.com/that-vs-which/