How does Eliot distinguish between the intellectual poets and the reflective poets?

Answer

How does Eliot distinguish between the intellectual poets and the reflective poets? Whom does he prefer, and why?

In his famous essay “The Metaphysical Poets” (1921), T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) explains how there are two kinds of poets: intellectual poets and reflective poets. Eliot makes a clear distinction between these two groups. He prefers intellectual poets, especially those from the 17th century, like John Donne (1572-1631) and George Herbert (1593 – 1633). He praises them for their ability to combine thought and emotion in a way that reflective poets like Tennyson (1809-92) and Browning (1812-89) struggle to achieve. 

The Intellectual Poets Unite Thought and Emotion: Eliot praises the intellectual poets. He especially praises metaphysical poets like John Donne for their ability to combine thought and emotion. He says, 

“A thought to Donne was an experience; it modified his sensibility.” 

For Donne and other intellectual poets, thinking is not separate from feeling; their thoughts are deeply felt, just like emotions. Eliot sees this as a sign of great poetry because it shows how closely connected their minds and hearts are. He believes that this unity makes their poetry more powerful and true to life.

Reflective Poets Separate Thought and Emotion: In contrast, Eliot criticizes the reflective poets, such as Tennyson and Browning. They divide thought and feeling. He says about these poets, 

“They do not feel their thought as immediately as the odour of a rose.” 

For Eliot, this separation weakens their poetry because it lacks a deep connection between intellect and emotion. Reflective poets think deeply but do not fully feel what they think. This leads to poetry that feels detached from genuine emotion.

Intellectual Poets Combine Different Ideas Together: Eliot praises intellectual poets for their ability to combine different and often unrelated experiences together in a unique way. He says, 

“The poets of the seventeenth century… possessed a mechanism of sensibility which could devour any kind of experience.” 

This means that they could bring together various ideas and emotions to create something entirely new and meaningful in their poetry. However, reflective poets often keep experiences separate. This leads to fragmented or less impactful poetry.

Reflective Poets Lack the Depth of Intellectual Poets: Eliot argues that reflective poets are more likely to meditate on ideas rather than transform them into living emotions. He states about Tennyson and Browning that,

“Think; but they do not feel their thought.” 

For Eliot, thinking alone is not enough for great poetry. What makes intellectual poets superior is their ability to make their thoughts come alive through deep, immediate feelings.

Intellectual Poets Use Language to Express Both Thought and Emotion: Eliot admires how intellectual poets use language to express both complex ideas and strong emotions in a unified way. For instance, Donne’s poetry is filled with complex metaphors (like comparing lovers to a pair of compasses). These images always express a deeper emotional truth. Eliot believes this ability to blend thought and feeling makes their poetry more touching and everlasting.

Reflective Poets Only Reflect Instead of Creating Something New: According to Eliot, reflective poets manage to reflect on emotions. They are unable to create new emotional experiences in their poetry. This reflective nature can make their poetry more distant and less engaging. Eliot prefers poets like Donne and Herbert because they do not merely reflect but create powerful emotional experiences by combining intellect and feeling.

In short, Eliot prefers intellectual poets because they connect thought and emotion in a powerful way. Reflective poets, while good, do not mix thinking and feeling as well. This makes their poetry less impactful. Intellectual poets create poetry that touches both the mind and heart, and that’s why Eliot values them more.