During the 16th century Western civilization, Europe had been
             actively involved with the Age of Discovery, where Christopher Columbus
             discovered the New World,' or the Americas. Because of stiff competition
             among other European nations, Britain seized the opportunity to inhabit and
             colonize America. Sir Walter Raleigh, English adventurer and writer,
             became one of Queen Elizabeth's knights who were given the privilege of
             being one of the primary leaders that will facilitate over Britain's
             colonies in the New World (Microsoft Encarta 2002).
             However, Sir Walter Raleigh's role as an explorer for Britain is also
             illustrated through the early works of prose, categorized under the early
             works of American literature. As a writer, Sir Walter Raleigh composed
             works of prose and poetry, which often depict the society he lives in
             during the Age of Discovery. In particular, Sir Walter Raleigh's poetry
             was characteristically literary forms that reflect the historical and
             social dynamics of 16th century Western society, specifically American and
             English societies (where Raleigh has been exposed to these societies).
             This paper discusses the poetry of Sir Walter Raleigh, mainly
             composed during the 16th century, which depicts his distinct literary
             style, which illustrates the theme that poetry is not only an art, but also
             a reflection of the historical and social experiences of Britain and
             America as Western nations during the 16th century. These characteristics
             define the development of prose in literature in both American and British
             literature during Raleigh's time (16th century) (Microsoft Encarta 2002).
             Although Raleigh is an English writer, his literary works are
             incorporated in both American and British literature, two societies which
             Raleigh became a part of. In Raleigh's collection of poems, entitled,
             "Poems of Sir Walter Raleigh" (1595), five poems are highlight...