“Poetry is the Criticism of Life, Governed by the Laws of Poetic Truth and Poetic Beauty”
The Study of Poetry is a notable literary work by Matthew Arnold. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of The Study of Poetry.
Answer
“Poetry is the criticism of life, governed by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty,” discuss it.
Matthew Arnold (1822 – 1888), in his essay “The Study of Poetry” (1880), describes poetry as “the criticism of life, governed by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty.” This statement means that poetry isn’t just about beautiful words; it also helps us understand the world around us. Arnold believes that great poetry must balance truth with beauty. Let us discuss this concept from a simple point of view.
Poetry as a Criticism of Life: Arnold believes poetry is a “criticism of life.” This means that good poetry explores life carefully. It offers wisdom and understanding about human nature, emotions, and struggles. According to Arnold, poets like Shakespeare and Dante present this criticism with seriousness, offering lessons on life. Arnold praises poets like Homer and Shakespeare for their deep understanding of life, stating,
“In poetry, criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty, the spirit of our race will find its consolation and stay.”
The Role of Poetic Truth: For Arnold, poetic truth is essential in making poetry valuable. Poetic truth refers to the accurate portrayal of life’s experiences and emotions. Poetry should speak honestly about life. He argues that without truth, poetry loses its value. He highlights that poetry must possess a “high seriousness.” Arnold finds this quality in poets like Dante, who combine deep truth with artistic beauty.
The Importance of Poetic Beauty: While truth is vital, Arnold insists that it must be delivered beautifully. The phrase “poetic beauty” refers to the pleasing form and language of poetry. He notes that true poetry blends serious ideas with graceful expression. Arnold uses Milton’s poetry as an example, where “truth and beauty” blend smoothly to create powerful verses that remain timeless. He says,
“The best poetry is what we want; the best poetry will be found to have a power of forming, sustaining, and delighting us as nothing else can.”
High Seriousness in Poetry: Arnold introduces the idea of “high seriousness” as a key feature of great poetry. High seriousness means that the best poems talk about serious and deep topics in a way that makes us think and feel. Poets like Shakespeare and Dante achieved this balance, making their works timeless. He writes,
“The accent of high seriousness, born of absolute sincerity, is what gives to such verse its power.”
This seriousness adds depth to poetry, allowing it to resonate with readers across time.
Avoiding Historical and Personal Estimates: Arnold warns against judging poetry based on historical importance or personal selections. He calls these judgments “The Historic Estimate” and “The Personal Estimate.” He argues that these approaches often lead to misjudging the true value of poetry. Instead, he encourages readers to focus on “The Real Estimate”. This estimate criticizes life according to the principles of poetic truth and beauty. He argues,
“Our estimate of poetry should be governed by the real estimate, based on the presence or absence of high poetic quality.”
Focusing only on a poem’s truth, beauty, and seriousness can help us better appreciate its real value.
The Lasting Power of Poetry: Arnold believes that poetry has an important role in society, especially when other sources of guidance, like religion, fail to provide comfort or answers. He argues that poetry, with its combination of truth, beauty, and seriousness, will always have a place in human culture. He says,
“The future of poetry is immense, because in poetry…our race, as time goes on, will find an ever surer and surer stay.”
In conclusion, Matthew Arnold’s view of poetry as a “criticism of life” highlights the importance of combining truth, beauty, and seriousness in poetic works. Through this balance, poetry can provide meaningful insights into life. It also delights the reader and fulfills its high purpose.