1. If you're referring to a specific historical period:
* The Renaissance: While poetry was certainly prevalent, Michel de Montaigne is considered the father of the modern essay, writing his *Essays* in the 16th century.
* The 18th Century: This is often called the "Age of Enlightenment" and saw a rise in prose writing, including essays. Samuel Johnson, Jonathan Swift, and Alexander Pope are just a few examples.
* The Romantic Era: While this period emphasized emotion and imagination, which often found expression in poetry, William Hazlitt, Charles Lamb, and Thomas de Quincey all contributed significantly to essay writing.
2. If you're referring to a time when poetry was the dominant form of writing:
* Ancient Greece and Rome: While we have many poems from this period, the philosophers also wrote extensively, and their works could be considered "essays" in the broad sense of the word, exploring ideas and arguments. Think Plato and Aristotle!
* The Middle Ages: This era saw the flourishing of religious writing, which often took the form of essays exploring theological and philosophical questions.
3. If you're looking for writers who wrote essays while poetry was popular:**
* Any era: Throughout history, there have always been writers who explored different genres. Many poets have written essays, and some of the most famous essayists have also written poetry. For example, William Wordsworth was a poet but also wrote essays on nature and aesthetics.
Ultimately, it's more about understanding that different genres of writing can co-exist and even influence each other. The line between poetry and prose isn't always clear, and some writers have skillfully blended both in their work.