CHAPMAN, t:Loactu: (1%15.19-B13d1. An Eng lish poet and dramatist. born near llitehin. fordshire. According to Wood. he studied at oxford and Cambrhbte. In I:it's he was already known as a successful playa right. Among his earliest and best plays are: 77o Blind Beggar of mIria (printed ; ( printed 111051 : Eastward tha .' in • collaboration with .lonson and Marston 1 ilifiS : rbi alb man r t 160111 ; 11111iS. it Trayedy. the most popular of all I B107) : conspiracy and Tragedy of Chartes. Duke of Byron Ilar•tt Boy (11d1): 7'hr Widoir's Tears (1612) ; and Cosa,- and Pompey (1631). Though Chapman's play, are usually weak in plot and in the devel •pment of character. they abound in striking pas sages. Besides Chapman wrote much else: The Shadow of Xiyht 11591): Oritl's !tan Of •s it,r ( 15:15 ; lie Ottawa. Carmen Epi. cum (15910 a continuation of Marlowe', Piro and Leandi r ( 59S) : 77te Tears of Pearr (1609), and several other poems. Ile is. however, best known a- the first translator 'Hower into English verse. The Iliad appeared in install
m•nts (159A 16111: likewise the Odyssey 1614 15). Both were published together in 161(1. For the former, Chapman employed rhymed verse of seven accented syllables; for the latter, rhymed Verse of fiv• accented syllables. The translation of the Iliad has been criticised for its inaccuracy. On the other hand. it has been praised for it, rapid movement and it is a noble poem. The complete works of Chapman. in three volumes. Were edited In' Shepherd. with au elab orate introductory essay by Swinlinrne ( Lon don. 1874-751. A literal reprint of the plays ft as published by Pearson (London. 1873). Selec tions from the plays are to be found in the maid edited by Phelps ( London and New York) ; swinburne, Georg(' Chapman: Critical Essay ) London. 1s75I and :Matthew .traithl, essay "On Translating t 18051. Consult Coleridge, Literary Remains.. Vol. I. 11.ondon, 1st:We:19i.