Literary Criticism: Glorification of poetry by Matthew Arnold

The Study of Poetry by Matthew Arnold is the best writing of literary criticism. It can also be referred as the best literary criticism of the Victorian era. There are some reasons behind writing this essay but the most important of them all is the glorification of poetry. We all know that novels were more popular than poetry in Victorian era which led many people to think that poetry was losing its prominence. Moreover, poetry was increasingly being attacked by the critics. 

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Victorian era of English literature follows the Romantic era and five of the most prominent poets of the Romantic age are- Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats, and Byron. After these poets, there were no prominent poets during Victorian era. Moreover, the supporters of utilitarianism believed that poetry is not necessary for the society for it does not have any direct impact on human beings. Their idea was that Science is necessary for human beings and commerce enables people to earn money but poetry is just a waste of time. Arnold started writing for poetry at such a critical period and he strongly showed that the necessity of poetry will never end in human civilization. He also believed that ordinary poem is of no use. The poet must follow classical poets because their appeal will never perish.

During Victorian era, people started to lose faith in religion. Many became suspicious about the truth of the Bible after Charles Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution” came out. At the same time, philosophy started to lose its value. In such a condition, Arnold believed that poetry’s future was the brightest because poetry would take over the place of religion and philosophy.

Arnold did not entirely go against the supporters of science but he believed that without poetry science will remain incomplete. The reason is, science presents partial truth in front of human beings contrary to the higher truth presented by poetry. Poetry can influence human beings and give him new ideas or thoughts which other fields of science cannot do. Hence, Arnold thinks that poetry is not only important for human beings but more important.

According to Arnold, poetry is the reflection of human life and criticism of life at the same time. These two features of poetry allow it to represent the true condition of human life and provide them guidance regarding how to make their lives beautiful. This is why, there are very few things that are as important as poetry and those believe that poetry is unnecessary they are actually putting the society in jeopardy.

However, Arnold did not talk about ordinary poem to show the greatness of poetry. Rather, he referred to classical poems. He mentioned names of many famous poets, including Chaucer, Milton, Shakespeare, Dryden etc. Arnold suggested that people should read poems of those poets who wrote high standard classical poems for we would be able to learn many new things from them. We should follow their direction for it would enrich our lives. We should appreciate classical poems and poets. Arnold believed that by doing so we would nourish our lives.

In conclusion, we can say that Arnold believed that poetry is the best of literature and a very important field of science. No human being should neglect it rather they should read good poems whenever they get time.