The writing of "The Task", a six book blank verse poem, is considered one of the greatest achievements of William Cowper's life. The poem has its origins in a rather peculiar story. Cowper, a man of strong religious background and fervent personal beliefs, is challenged by a noble woman to write a poem. She challenges him to make a "sofa", a rather mundane sitting object, the main theme of the poem. Cowper agreed and so, after writing the first book, truly titled "sofa", he continued in the same fashion and wrote five more similar poetic, blank versed pieces in a similar style. The poems discuss topics typical for Cowper like abolitionism, the failings of the clergy or the problems of the French.
The creation of the volume of poems called "The Task" can be mainly attributed to William Cowper having too much time at hand for leisure and a recurring mental health crisis, namely depression. These two factors combined meant that he had to and could spend hours, days, and weeks with writing this in parts humorous, in parts socio-critical piece. The poetic creation seemed to have hit the time's spirit right on the head, as it was published, bought and more of the same was demanded. The gentiles of the time likened the piece in its religious fervor to Paradise Lost by John Milton, however meant for a less puritan audience.
"The Task" was such a success that its influence is clear in numerous other writings of later periods. Jane Austen's writing has strong references to Cowper's work, as does William Wordsworth's poetry.
