Matthew arrnold one of foremost critic of 19th century is often regarded as father of modern english criticism . Arnold’s work as literary critic started with “Preface to poems ” in 1853 . It is a kind of manifesto of his critical creed . It reflects classicism as well his views on grand poetic style . Arnold was classicist who loved art , literature and Hellenic culture . His most famous piece of literary criticism is in his essay ” The study of poetry “. In this workhe talks about poetry’s ” high destiny ” . He belives ” mankind will discover that we have to turn poetry to interpret life for us ,to console us ,to sustain us ” .
Arnold lived in a materialistic world where advancement of science has led society in a strange darkneess . Importace of religion was submerged . People were becoming fact seekers . A gap was being devloped and Arnold belived poetry could fill that gap . In his words “Our religion has materialized itself in the fact , and the fact is now failing it . But for poetry the idea is everything ,the rest is world of illusion , of devine illusion ” . Arnold wrote ” without poetry our science will appear incomplete ;and most of what now passes with religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry .
He had definite aim in writing poetry . It was ” criticism of life ” By ” criticism of life ” he meant ” noble and profound application of ideasof life “. He said poetry should serve a greater purpose instead of becoming a mere medium of gaining pleasure and appreciating beauty . According to him the best poetry is criticism of life , abiding laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty . By poetic truth he meant repersentation of life in true way . By poetic beauty he meant manner and style of poetry . He said poet should be a man with enormous experience .
The Essay on Rainer Maria Rilke Poetry Life Published
Rainer Maria Rilke 'Rose, o pure contradiction, desire to be no one's sleep beneath so many lids.' This was Rainer Maria Rilke's self-composed epitaph, written before leukemia took his life on December 29, 1926. The rose was a symbol of love, beauty, and devotion in many of Rilke's writings. With quotes such as this Rilke became known as one of the best poets of the 20 th century. Rainer Maria ...
His intellect should be highly devloped by means of enormous reading and deep critical thinking . Arnold says poetry is an ” application of ideas to life ” . If the application of ideas is powerful the poetry will become great . He also lays emphasis on quality of ” high seriousness ” It comes with sincerity which poet feels for his subject. Many critics disagreed Arnold ,T. S. Elliot a graet poet himself disagreed his view by saying Arnold’s view is “frigid to anyone who has felt the full surprise and elevation of new experience in poetry ” .
Arnold classic poets include Dante , Milton , Homer and Shakespeare . He quotes famous line of Milton ” Nor thy life nor hate ; but what thou livest Live well : how ling or short , permit to heaven” . According to Arnold Geoffrey chaucer was not a classic poet as he lacked ” high seriousness ” . Arnold said poetry should deal with ideas not facs . Ideas should be moral . He said moral should not be taken in narrow sense . He says ” poetry of revolt against life ; a poetry of indifference towards moral idea is a poetry of indifference towards life “.
