<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 posthumously , 1554 -- 1557 ) . He may have been inspired by the Latin original as classical Latin verse did not use rhyme ; or possibly he was inspired by the Ancient Greek verse or the Italian verse form of versi sciolti , both of which also did not use 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 posthumously , 1554 -- 1557 ) . He may have been inspired by the Latin original as classical Latin verse did not use rhyme ; or possibly he was inspired by the Ancient Greek verse or the Italian verse form of versi sciolti , both of which also did not use rhyme . </P>
identify the writer who first used blank verse in english poetry
identify the writer who first used blank verse in english poetry
Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey
Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey