In his numerous writings, Morris excelled in verse translations from classic and medieval sources. Among these were The Earthly Paradise, much in the manner of the great Middle English poet Geoffrey Chaucer; The Aeneid of Virgil; and The Odyssey, in the metrical style of the English dramatist and classical translator George Chapman. From materials gathered during two trips to Iceland, Morris wrote Three Northern Love Songs and the epic Sigurd the Volsung .
Later, Morris became increasingly active in politics but without losing interest in art and letters. In 1884 he helped to establish the Socialist League, editing and contributing to its organ the Commonweal. He established the Kelmscott Press in 1890, and, using his own designs for the type and ornamental letters, he issued editions of the classics and of his own works, notably The Kelmscott Chaucer. Morris died in London on October 3, 1896.
The work of Morris is characterized by an emphasis on decorative elements, especially on those that he thought to be characteristic of the art of the Middle Ages. His designs for books and wallpaper brings back the precision and elegance of illuminated manuscripts, and his poems and epics treat medieval themes with a rich imagery and simplicity derived from the ancient epics and sagas. In his political writings, he attempted to tell the people of the lazy effect that the industrial revolution has had on people. He proposed a form of society in which people could enjoy craftsmanship and simplicity of expression. Morris had once stated, "It is right and necessary that all men should have work to do which should be worth doing and be itself pleasant to do; and which should not be done under such conditions as would make it neither over wearisome nor overanxious." .
Ruskin, John can be considered as an English writer, art critic, and reformer and a dominant tastemaker among intellectuals of the Victorian period.
