Why does Arnold define
poetry as ‘Criticism of Life’ ?
In his essay, ‘The Study of Poetry’ Matthew Arnold has presented poetry
as a criticism of life. In the beginning of his essay he states: “In poetry as
criticism of life, under conditions fixed for such criticism by the laws of
poetic truth and poetic beauty, the spirit of our race will find, as time goes
by and as other helps fail, its consolation and stay.” Thus, according to him
poetry is governed by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty.Poetic truth is a characteristic quality of the matter and substance of poetry. It means a sound representation of life. In other words, it is a true depiction of life without any attempt to falsify the facts. Poetic beauty is contained in the manner and style. It is marked by excellence of diction and flow of verse. While talking of Chaucer, Arnold mentions fluidity of diction and verse. Poetic beauty springs from right words in the right order.
Poetic truth and poetic beauty are inter-related and cannot be separated from one another.” The superior character of truth and seriousness in the matter and substance of best poetry, is inseparable from the superiority of diction and movement marking its manner and style”, says Arnold. If a poem is lacking in the qualities of poetic truth and high seriousness, it cannot possess the excellence of diction and movement, and vice-versa.
In his estimate of Burns and Wordsworth, Arnold points out that another characteristic of great poetry is application of ideas to criticism of life. The greatness of Wordsworth lies in his powerful application of the subject of ideas to man, nature and human life. Ideas according to Arnold are moral ideas.
