“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, and various study materials 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
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