Omeros

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Derek Walcott (1930-2017) was a Saint Lucian poet, playwright, and Nobel Laureate whose work explores themes of identity, colonialism, and cultural hybridity. Born in Castries, Saint Lucia, into a family of mixed African, Dutch, and English heritage, Walcott grew up immersed in both Caribbean and European traditions. He published his first poem at 14 and released his first collection, 25 Poems, at 18.

In his career, Walcott blended classical literary forms with Caribbean content. Walcott’s poetry, including acclaimed collections like In a Green Night (1962) and The Star-Apple Kingdom (1979), reflects his deep engagement with language, landscape, and post-colonial identity. In addition to poetry, Walcott wrote over 30 plays and founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. His achievements earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. Celebrated for his lush, lyrical style and intellectual depth, Walcott remains a central figure in world literature, giving voice to the complexities of Caribbean identity and the legacy of colonialism.

Walcott was deeply influenced by Western literature—particularly the works of Homer, William Shakespeare, and John Milton—yet he also sought to challenge and adapt these influences to articulate the complexities of Caribbean identity.