‘The Study of Poetry’ Summary, The Study of Poetry by Matthew Arnold, Try.Fulfill ,the historic estimate, the real estimate, the personal estimate, the touchstone method, classics,
- Name: The Study of Poetry.
- Writer: Matthew Arnold.
- Genre: Critical essay.
- Published: 1880 as the introduction of `The English Poets’. (Also in the volume of 1888)
- Matter of discussion: Ways of estimating good poetry, the touchstone method, classical writing/non-classical writing.
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| ‘The Study of Poetry’ Summary | The Study of Poetry by Matthew Arnold | Try.Fulfill |
‘The Study of Poetry’ Summary:
(by TRY DOT FULFIL)
‘The Study of Poetry’ is a critical essay of Matthew
Arnold (poet and critic) which was first published as the
introduction of T.H. Wards anthology (collection of literary works) ‘The
English Poets’. It was the first essay of 1888 volume. In this essay,
Arnold criticizes the art of criticism and the art of poetry. It
also discusses some ways of estimating a poem. Further, it also speaks about
certain poets and classifies them whether classics or not.
At first, Matthew Arnold raise the worth of poetry upon science,
religion and philosophy. He also refutes the accusation of Plato against
poetry.
Then in the study of poetry, Matthew Arnold discusses
the three ways of estimating poetry. The historic estimate, the personal
estimate and the real estimate.
The Historic Estimate: In this way, poems are judged
by their historical context and according to their historical value. The
limitation of historic estimate is that sometimes it skips the faults because
of the historical importance. (by: TRY.FULFILL ENGLISH LITERATURE)
The Personal Estimate: This is the method of judging
a poetic work depending on the personal tastes, likes and dislikes of the
reader or critic.
The Real Estimate: It is the ideal way of estimating
poetry mentioned by Arnold. In this way, both the historical significance and
the creativity of a poet are judged by the critic. The real estimate provides a
perfect output of the judgment.
Furthermore, Matthew Arnold argues if a poet needs to
acquire the high standards of classics, he should imitate the classical works.
(TRY.FULFIL)
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In this point, Matthew Arnold proposes a new method of
estimating poetry in ‘The Study of Poetry’ which is known as ‘The Touchstone
Method’.
What is Touchstone Method?
The touchstone method is a method where a poetic work is
compared with some specimens of the classical writings. If it meets the high
quality, high truth and seriousness in its matter and manner, it will be considered
as perfect poem.
After Arnold talks about French Poetry and its
impact on English Poetry. He notes that the French romance poems didn’t have
high truth, seriousness and diction.
Matthew Arnold mentions Chaucer in ‘the study of
poetry’. His poetic style and subject matter were perfect but he lacked high
seriousness. Consequently, Arnold doesn’t classify Chaucer as classic.
Similarly, Arnold quotes John Milton and William Shakespeare
and classify them as classic poet. He also traces John Dryden and Alexander
Pope as classics of prose but not of poem. Then, he judges Thomas Gray
as a classic poet because of his poetic value. Further, Arnold mention Robert
Burns and says his Scottish poems were engulfed with poetic value but his English
poetry had shortage of high seriousness. So, he doesn’t honor him as classic.
Arnold also quotes the name of Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and William
Wordsworth. But he remains neutral commenting about them as they were
contemporary to him and he fears of his personal choice while judging them.
At last, Matthew Arnold concludes ‘The Study of Poetry’ by
describing the worth of classical writings. He comments that classics will
remain supreme throughout all times.
Written by: Saiful Munna, Honours in English, NUBD.
Published by: TRY.FULFIL ENGLISH LITERATURE.
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2 Comments
Simple and near and easy to understand..
ReplyDeleteThanks for your valuable remark. Most welcome.
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