<P> The first documented use of blank verse in the English language was by Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey in his translation of the Æneid ( composed c. 1540 ; published 1554 -- 1557 ) . He was possibly inspired by the Latin original , as classical Latin verse ( as well as Ancient Greek verse ) did not use rhyme ; or he may have been inspired by the Italian verse form of versi sciolti , which also contained no rhyme . </P>
<P> The first documented use of blank verse in the English language was by Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey in his translation of the Æneid ( composed c. 1540 ; published 1554 -- 1557 ) . He was possibly inspired by the Latin original , as classical Latin verse ( as well as Ancient Greek verse ) did not use rhyme ; or he may have been inspired by the Italian verse form of versi sciolti , which also contained no rhyme . </P>
who introduced blank verse into england in the 16th century
who introduced blank verse into england in the 16th century
Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey
Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey