Ambrose Quote by Thomas B. Macaulay
“Ambrose Phillips . . . who had the honor of bringing into fashion a species of composition which has been called, after his name, Namby Pamby.”
About This Quote
Source Literature: Essays on Poetry, 1805
He coined a term for overly sentimental, weak poetry that bears his name, critiquing its lack of substance.
In simple terms: He mocked overly sweet, shallow poetry.
Avoid overly sentimental writing lacking depth.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- teaching poetry
- literary analysis
- editing
- publishing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does sentiment become a weakness?
- How can emotion be balanced with craft?
The term may be used dismissively, stifling genuine emotional expression.