The Blazing World

The poem by Cavendish’s husband, William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle, outlines the discovery and creation of new worlds.

The known world, as the poem’s speaker terms Europe, was small until Columbus discovered America, although this was not a new creation but an existing place waiting to be found. The poem’s speaker favorably compares Cavendish to Columbus, praising her for actually creating a new world with her imagination and intelligence. The world she’s created is a shining example for everyone.

In her author’s note, Cavendish explains why she has published a fictional work alongside her scientific and philosophical treatise: the fiction and nonfiction pieces complement each other, working to understand the world in different ways.

Cavendish outlines her thematic goals for the text. She then breaks The Blazing World into three parts: a romance, a philosophical discussion, and a fantastical narrative.

Cavendish ends by declaring that since she cannot conquer the world like Caesar or Alexander, she has instead created her own world in this book. She encourages her readers to do the same.