Welcome Readers,
THE NATURE AND ELEMENTS OF POETRY
William Henry Hudson
Introduction:
Hudson’s "An Introduction to the Study of English Literature" offers a thoughtful exploration of the nature and elements of poetry. Here is a detailed discussion of poetry, focusing on its definitions, elements, and significance.
What is Poetry?
Hudson begins by acknowledging the challenge of defining poetry. Much like St. Augustine’s famous line on time—
“If not asked, I know; if you ask me, I know not”
—people often instinctively know what poetry is but struggle to put it into words. Poetry evokes an emotional response, but translating this into an exact definition is difficult.
Hudson emphasizes that the variety of definitions offered by poets and critics over the years makes the task even more complex. However, the goal is not to fixate on strict formulas but to understand the general characteristics that make poetry distinct.
Some Definitions
Hudson provides several definitions of poetry, each offering a unique perspective. Let’s go through them and explain their meanings:
1. Dr. Johnson:
- Johnson defines poetry as
“metrical composition,”
which means that poetry is primarily written in a specific rhythm or structure (metre). He further says that poetry unites pleasure with truth by using imagination to assist reason, and that its essence is "invention." Johnson is highlighting that poetry is both creative and structured, and it merges both delight and deeper truth.
2. John Stuart Mill:
- Mill believes poetry is
“the thought and words in which emotion spontaneously embodies itself.”
This definition suggests that poetry is the natural outflow of emotion, where feelings are directly captured in words. Poetry, to Mill, is an emotional expression.
3. Macaulay:
- According to Macaulay, poetry is
"the art of employing words in such a manner as to produce an illusion on the imagination, the art of doing by means of words what the painter does by means of colours."
This comparison to painting highlights the creative power of poetry to craft vivid, imaginative pictures in the reader’s mind, much like an artist does on canvas.
4. Thomas Carlyle:
- Carlyle simply calls poetry
“Musical Thought.”
By this, he means that poetry is thought given musical rhythm or sound, underscoring the connection between poetry and melody or rhythm.
5. Percy Bysshe Shelley:
- Shelley describes poetry as
"the expression of the imagination."
In his view, poetry is the artistic representation of imaginative ideas, allowing people to see beyond reality and explore possibilities created by the mind.
6. William Hazlitt:
- Hazlitt says poetry is
“the language of the imagination and the passions.”
This means that poetry expresses both the creative and emotional sides of human experience, combining what we imagine and what we feel.
7. Leigh Hunt:
- Hunt defines poetry as
"the utterance of a passion for truth, beauty, and power, embodying and illustrating its conceptions by imagination and fancy, and modulating its language on the principle of variety in unity."
Poetry, for Hunt, is driven by a desire to express these ideals, and its beauty lies in balancing imagination with harmony (variety in unity).
8. Samuel Taylor Coleridge:
- Coleridge sees poetry as the opposite of science, aiming for pleasure rather than truth.
Poetry is the anti-thesis of science, having for its immediate object pleasure, not truth
This means that while science seeks facts and understanding, poetry seeks to provide enjoyment and emotional resonance.
9. William Wordsworth:
- Wordsworth calls poetry
“the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge”
and
“the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science.”
He believes that poetry elevates human understanding, providing the emotional depth that goes beyond intellectual knowledge.
10. Matthew Arnold:
- Arnold defines poetry as
“the most delightful and perfect form of utterance that human words can reach”
and
“a criticism of life under the conditions fixed for such a criticism by the laws of poetic truth and poetic beauty.”
Arnold emphasizes poetry’s role in expressing human experiences in their most beautiful form, offering reflections on life through a combination of truth and aesthetics.
11. Edgar Allan Poe:
- Poe defines poetry as
"the rhythmic creation of beauty."
This suggests that poetry is beautiful not just in content but in form, and that rhythm is a key component of this beauty.
12. John Keble:
- Keble sees poetry as
“a vent for overcharged feeling or a full imagination,”
implying that poetry is a release for intense emotions or creativity.
13. Conan Doyle:
- Doyle suggests poetry expresses
"dissatisfaction with what is present and close at hand."
This means that poetry often arises from a desire for something beyond the immediate reality—an idealization or criticism of life as it is.
14. John Ruskin:
- Ruskin defines poetry as
"the suggestion, by the imagination, of noble grounds for the noble emotions."
This means poetry uses imagination to evoke emotions like admiration, love, or reverence for higher ideals.
15. Professor Courthope:
- Courthope defines poetry as
“the art of producing pleasure by the just expression of imaginative thought and feeling in metrical language.”
This emphasizes both the form (metrical language) and the goal (pleasure) of poetry.
16. The Watts-Dunton:
- Finally, Watts-Dunton calls poetry
"the concrete and artistic expression of the human mind in emotional and rhythmical language."
He emphasizes that poetry is a blend of emotion, artistry, and rhythm.
Some Elements of Poetry
Hudson emphasizes two primary elements in poetry: emotion and imagination. Poetry interprets life emotionally and imaginatively, rather than through logical reasoning or factual explanation. In poetry, feelings and imaginative visions dominate, transforming real-life experiences into something that resonates on a deeper emotional level. Poetry captures the beauty and emotional weight of life, adding a creative layer to the simple facts of existence.
Poetry as a Form of Art
Hudson points out that poetry is an art form. It is not simply an emotional or imaginative outpouring—it must be structured and formed in a way that gives it artistic beauty. This means that while emotions and imagination are central, they must be shaped in a particular way, especially through metrical language or rhythm. This makes poetry distinct from prose, which can also be imaginative and emotional but does not adhere to the same structured form.
Poetry and Metre
Hudson tackles the ongoing debate over whether metre is essential to poetry. Some argue that poetry can exist without a structured rhythm or metre, as seen in poetic prose. However, he concludes that metrical structure is what generally distinguishes poetry from prose. While prose can be poetic, it becomes actual poetry when it is written in a metrical form, which means following a regular rhythmic pattern.
The Significance of Rhythm
Rhythm plays a crucial role in poetry, as it heightens the aesthetic pleasure of the words. Rhythm makes poetry musical, adding a sensory element to the emotional and imaginative content. Even when the connection between rhythm and meaning is indirect, rhythm makes poetry enjoyable to hear and read.
Rhythm: A Natural Vehicle of Poetic Feeling
Hudson concludes by arguing that rhythm is not just an aesthetic feature but a natural expression of poetic feeling. Humans have an instinctive response to rhythm—it connects with our emotions in a way that enhances the meaning of the words. That is why poetry, written in metre or rhythmical language, often resonates more deeply than prose.
Conclusion
Hudson's exploration of poetry is an invitation to appreciate its complexity. Poetry is emotional, imaginative, rhythmic, and structured, and each definition offered by the critics and poets he cites highlights different aspects of its beauty. While difficult to pin down in a single formula, poetry's essence lies in its ability to evoke emotions and create vivid imaginative experiences, all while following the rhythmic patterns that make it an artistic and musical expression of human life.
Reference:
Hudson, William Henry. An introduction to the study of literature. Harrap, 1919.
Post a Comment