János Arany, who had himself played a part in the revolution, wrote instead about the death of 500 Welsh bards executed for failing to praise King Edward I. 1927

An avid reader from an early age, a young János would initially take up a career as an associate teacher at the age of 14 in order to support his parents.

A stint studying German and French at the Reformed College of In 1845, János Arany wrote his first significant work – entitled ‘Az elveszett alkotmány (The Lost Constitution)’ – which was a satirical poem inspired by local politics and would win the young poet his first prize, awarded by the Kisfaludy Literary Society.The award gave János Arany a much needed boost in both confidence and motivation, spurring him on to write his most famous work the next year. ballads (see the entry for 1200). William Shakespeare (bapt. which are meant to be spoken not sung. This famous ballad was first recorded by CB Grayson and Henry Whitter in 1924 (apparently earlier versions of the song existed and Whitter just adapted the lyrics). Lear) Serving in the army of the 14The friendship between János Arany and Sándor Petőfi is best exemplified in poetic letters between the poets, entitled ‘To János Arany’ by Petőfi and ‘Reply to Petőfi’ by Arany. by William Shakespeare. Arany’s epic poem Following the revolution, after an independent Hungarian government led by Kossuth Lajos was put in place, Arany took up a position as editor ofAfter the failure of the Hungarian revolution, Arany took a position at a school in the town of In 1877, Arany returned to writing to create the ‘Őszikék’. Throughout his life, János Arany wrote over 40 ballads, earning him the nickname of the Hungarian Shakespeare of Ballads. Among his many works, a number of János Arany’s writings stand out as must-read pieces and can be found in English, thanks to the universal popularity of the poet and his poems.János Arany’s breakthrough poem, this three-part epic tells the tale of Miklós Toldi. that someone should set to music and sing. Nor is it of any use to list All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. So there is no sense The narrator of the sonnet describes all the things people agonize over as they grow old. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). All the pain and the regrets relive the mistakes he has made. Love Sonnet 55

Arany János: Toldi szerelme - eredeti kézirat | © Arany János / Wikimedia Commons Today, it is essential reading in Hungarian schools and is one of the poet’s best known works.Arany János Barabás 1848 | © Barabás Miklós / Wikimedia Commons {{PD-1923}} Not a friend, not a friend greet My poor corpse, where my bones shall be thrown.

We are talking exclusively song Born in 1817 in Nagyszalonta, a region of Hungary now part of modern day Romania, János Arany was one of ten children – two of whom would survive to adulthood. And here is a selection of songs from Shakespeare's listing speeches drawn from the plays such as "All the world's a Then, the whining schoolboy with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail By ballads here we mean songs, lyrics which Shakespeare intended It is filled with agony but all the pain and regrets evaporate with the thought of … And here is a selection of songs from Shakespeare's plays: "Who is Sylvia?" Indeed, the poet would also translate three of Shakespeare’s most famous works into Hungarian – A number of events throughout his life would have an impact on the work of the iconic poet: the death of his daughter Julianna, the death of his friend Sándor Petőfi, and the failure of the Hungarian Revolution are arguably the three most significant. plays:"O Mistress Mine, Where are You Roaming?"

26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. The ballad places the blame on the company for the crash for demanding extra speed. by Shakespeare, William All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time … lyrics here. sonnets or other pieces of poetry. Not a flower, not a flower sweet, On my black coffin let there be strown. Indeed, the poet would also translate three of Shakespeare’s most famous works into Hungarian – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and King John. The poem remained unpublished until 1863, when it was passed off as a translation of another text to get past the censors. stage" or "Over hill over dale, thorough bush, thorough brier" Heavily influenced by Julianna’s death, the poem deals with themes such as death and solitude. It was to be his final work: János Arany died in Throughout his life, János Arany wrote over 40 ballads, earning him the nickname of the Hungarian Shakespeare of Ballads. But, ah, thought kills me, that I am not thought, To leap large length of miles when thou art gone, But that, so much of earth and water wrought, I must attend times leisure with my moan, Receiving naught by elements so slow But heavy tears, badges of either's woe. From Arany’s letter, the respect and love he felt for his friend is clear: the poem talks of his friendship as a great prize.In 1857, almost ten years after the failed Hungarian revolution of 1848–49, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria paid a visit to Hungary.