The Study of Poetry by Matthew Arnold

Hello students! Today, we are going to learn about a very important essay called "The Study of Poetry", written by Matthew Arnold. This essay is famous in the study of English literature, especially when we study poetry. But first, let's talk a little about who Matthew Arnold was and what poetry means.

Matthew Arnold was a poet, critic, and a teacher. He was born in 1822 and lived during the Victorian era.

In his essay "The Study of Poetry", Matthew Arnold talks about why poetry is so important. He explains what makes poetry valuable, how we should read and judge poetry, and what kinds of poems are truly great. This essay helps readers understand how to appreciate poetry deeply and respect it as an art.

Why Is Poetry Important?

Arnold believed poetry is one of the most important things in our lives. He thought poetry should not just be a form of entertainment or something we read for fun. Instead, he believed poetry should help us understand life, emotions, and beauty. Arnold even said that poetry is going to replace religion as the main way people learn about morals, truth, and beauty. He thought that, as society changes, poetry would become even more important in teaching us values and connecting us with what is good and true.

Arnold believed that poetry can help us think about big questions in life. It can make us feel and experience things that are hard to explain in simple words. For Arnold, great poetry is like a mirror. It reflects deep truths about human nature, feelings, and the world around us.

The Purpose of "The Study of Poetry".

In "The Study of Poetry", Matthew Arnold wants to teach us how to recognize great poetry. He wants to help us see the difference between poems that are good and those that are truly great. Arnold is also concerned about how poetry is sometimes misunderstood or not respected as much as it should be. He hopes that people will learn to respect poetry and see its true value.

Arnold’s main purpose in this essay is to help us learn how to judge poetry. He gives us guidelines or "rules" for judging if a poem is of high quality. He also shows us examples of good and bad poetry, so we can learn by comparing them.

Arnold’s Method of Judging Poetry: The Touchstone Method.

One of the key things Matthew Arnold talks about in his essay "The Study of Poetry" is called the "Touchstone Method." This is a way to test or judge poetry. The word "touchstone" means a standard or example that we can compare other things to. For Arnold, certain lines of poetry, written by great poets, act as a "touchstone" or a perfect example of greatness.

The Importance of Morality and Seriousness in Poetry.

In his essay "The Study of Poetry", Matthew Arnold also believed that great poetry should have a moral message. He didn’t mean that all poems have to teach a specific lesson, but he thought that great poetry should be "serious." For Arnold, seriousness means that the poem deals with important ideas, such as love, justice, or truth. He thought that the best poems help us become better people by making us think about these ideas.

The Difference Between Classic and Modern Poetry.

The study of "The Study of Poetry" by Matthew reveals that the author talks about the difference between classic poetry and modern poetry. Classic poetry, according to Arnold, comes from the ancient world. It is timeless, meaning it is still relevant and powerful even after many years. Arnold believed that classic poetry, like the works of Homer and Dante, is the highest form of poetry because it captures universal truths and emotions that we can still connect with.

Conclusion: Why "The Study of Poetry" Matters.

"The Study of Poetry" by Matthew Arnold is important because it teaches us how to appreciate and understand poetry on a deeper level. Arnold believed poetry is a powerful way to connect with life’s truths, understand emotions, and learn about human nature.

By reading and studying poetry, we can learn to appreciate beauty and understand ourselves better. Poetry helps us think about things like love, bravery, and justice, and it shows us the world through other people’s eyes. Arnold’s essay encourages us to value poetry and respect it as a way to understand the world.

In the end, "The Study of Poetry" by Matthew Arnold reminds us that poetry is more than just words on a page. It is a way to explore life, discover beauty, and connect with people and ideas across time and space.

00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Why Is Poetry Important?
01:55 - The Purpose of "The Study of Poetry"
03:36 - Arnold’s Method of Judging Poetry: The Touchstone Method
03:49 - Different Types of Poetry: High Quality Versus Low Quality
04:56 - The Importance of Morality and Seriousness in Poetry
05:57 - Examples of Great Poets and Why They Are Great
07:13 - The Difference Between Classic and Modern Poetry
08:10 - Conclusion: Why "The Study of Poetry" Matters