Matthew Arnold’s Essay on Poetry

Introduction

Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) was one of the most influential literary critics and poets of the
Victorian era. His essays on poetry, particularly The Study of Poetry (1880), offer profound
insights into the nature, purpose, and significance of poetry in human life. Arnold believed
that poetry was not just a source of pleasure but a medium for conveying truth, shaping
morality, and refining human sensibilities. He famously argued that in an age where religious
faith was declining, poetry could serve as a substitute for religion by offering moral and
philosophical guidance.

One of Arnold’s most enduring contributions to literary criticism is the touchstone method, a
technique for evaluating poetry by comparing it to the works of acknowledged literary
masters. His emphasis on "high seriousness," truth, and artistic excellence set the
foundation for modern literary criticism. This essay explores Arnold’s views on poetry, his
critical methods, his assessment of past and contemporary poets, and his lasting influence
on the field of literary studies.

Poetry as the “Criticism of Life”

A central theme in Arnold’s essay The Study of Poetry is the idea that poetry should serve
as the "criticism of life." By this, he meant that poetry should not merely entertain but should
provide deep insights into human nature, society, and morality. He believed that great poetry
should elevate the human spirit, inspire noble thoughts, and offer wisdom about life’s
complexities.

Arnold saw poetry as essential to civilization, arguing that it had the potential to replace
religion as a moral guide. In the Victorian era, religious faith was being challenged by
scientific discoveries and secular philosophy. Arnold suggested that poetry could fill the
moral and ethical void left by the decline of religious belief. He stated:

> "More and more mankind will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us,
to console us, to sustain us."

For Arnold, the greatest poets were those who could articulate profound truths about human
existence in a way that resonated universally. He admired poets like Homer, Dante,
Shakespeare, and Milton, who, in his view, combined moral wisdom with artistic brilliance.

The Touchstone Method: Evaluating Great Poetry

One of Arnold’s most significant contributions to literary criticism was the touchstone
method, which he introduced as a means of distinguishing truly great poetry from mediocre
works. This method involved comparing any given poem to the greatest passages in
literature, which Arnold called "touchstones."
He recommended that readers memorize and use these touchstone passages—excerpts
from Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and Milton—as benchmarks against which other poetry
should be measured. If a poem failed to match the artistic excellence and intellectual depth
of these touchstones, it could not be considered great.

Arnold’s touchstone method sought to bring objectivity into literary criticism, which he felt
was too often influenced by personal taste or contemporary trends. He believed that poetry
should be judged based on timeless qualities such as truth, beauty, and high seriousness,
rather than its popularity or immediate emotional impact.

He wrote:

> "The best poetry will be found to have a power of forming, sustaining, and delighting us, as
nothing else can."

The Characteristics of Great Poetry

Arnold outlined several essential characteristics that distinguish great poetry from lesser
works. These include:

1. High Seriousness

Arnold believed that the greatest poets approached their subjects with "high seriousness",
meaning that their work dealt with profound and universal themes. He admired poets who
explored fundamental human concerns—life, death, love, morality, and fate—with intellectual
depth and emotional gravity.

For Arnold, poetry was not just about personal expression but about capturing the grand
truths of human existence. He criticized poets who focused too much on sentimentality or
superficial beauty without addressing deeper philosophical or moral questions.

He stated:

> "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood."

2. Truth and Beauty

Arnold viewed poetry as a fusion of truth and beauty. He argued that poetry should convey
eternal truths while also achieving artistic excellence. A great poet, in his view, was one who
could harmonize intellectual depth with aesthetic refinement.

This belief led him to praise poets like Homer, Sophocles, and Shakespeare, who combined
deep insight with masterful poetic technique. He believed that the best poetry should be both
intellectually enriching and emotionally moving.
He wrote:

> "Poetry is simply the most beautiful, impressive, and widely effective mode of saying
things."

3. Disinterestedness

Arnold emphasized the importance of "disinterestedness" in poetry, meaning that poets

He criticized poets who wrote to cater to contemporary trends or personal emotions at the
expense of lasting literary value. Instead, he urged poets to focus on eternal truths and
universal human experiences, which would ensure their work remained relevant across
generations.

He remarked:

> "The greatness of a poet lies in his powerful and beautiful application of ideas to life."

Arnold’s Criticism of Contemporary Poetry

Arnold was highly critical of much of the poetry produced in his own time. He believed that
Victorian poetry lacked the greatness and depth of classical literature. He was particularly
concerned that many contemporary poets prioritized emotion over intellect and individual
sentiment over universal themes.

While he admired some Victorian poets, including Wordsworth, he was skeptical of the
Romantic movement, which he felt often emphasized personal feelings at the expense of
philosophical and moral insight. He also criticized poets who indulged in excessive
ornamentation and flowery language, arguing that poetry should be clear, profound, and
purposeful.

He warned:

> "Without poetry, our science will appear incomplete; and most of what now passes with us
for religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry."

Arnold’s Influence on Literary Criticism

His touchstone method remains a key concept in literary evaluation, and his insistence on
objective standards of excellence has shaped the way poetry is studied and analyzed. He
also contributed to the idea that literature should serve a moral and intellectual purpose,
which continues to influence discussions about the role of literature in education and society.

Arnold’s influence can be seen in the works of later critics like T.S. Eliot, F.R. Leavis, and
Harold Bloom, all of whom emphasized the importance of evaluating literature based on
universal artistic and intellectual principles.

Conclusion

Matthew Arnold’s essay on poetry remains one of the most significant works of literary
criticism. His belief that poetry serves as a "criticism of life," his touchstone method for
evaluating literary greatness, and his emphasis on truth, beauty, and high seriousness
continue to influence literary studies today.

While some of his ideas have been challenged or revised over time, his insistence on
objective literary standards and his belief in poetry’s power to shape human thought and
morality remain relevant. His legacy endures as a foundational figure in literary criticism,
reminding us that poetry is not just an art form but a vital force for intellectual and moral
enrichment.

As Arnold wisely stated:

> "Poetry is at bottom a criticism of life."