An Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope

 An Essay on Criticism

by Alexander Pope

 

Alexander Pope (1688-1744) known as a Neoclassicist  earned popularity as a poet more than as a critic. But he has written a lot in the field of criticism. His major critical works are:

 

1.   Essay on Criticism

2.   Imitations of the Epistles of Horace to Augustus

3.   His Letters

4.   His Preface to his Edition of Shakespeare’s Plays

 

An Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope is an influential poem in the realm of literary theory, first published in 1709. Written in heroic couplets (744 lines), it is both a guide to good criticism and an exploration of the virtues and vices involved in critiquing literature.

 

Here Alexander Pope offers a variety of advice to both authors and critics, focusing on the need for balance, humility, and understanding. Some key pieces of advice include:

 

1.  Follow Classical Writers: Pope says that the ancients discovered the rules of writing literature and presented nature in a methodized manner.

 

“Those Rules of old discover’d, not devis’d,

Are Nature still, but Nature Methodiz’d.”

 

Pope conveys the idea that the classical rules of art and poetry were not artificially invented or imposed, but rather discovered through careful observation of nature.

 

2.  Clarity of Expression: Pope stresses that good judgment is essential to proper criticism. He famously advises,

 

"True wit is Nature to advantage dressed;

What oft was thought, but ne’er so well expressed."

 

Here, Pope argues that originality is not necessarily about new ideas, but about presenting existing ideas with clarity and beauty.

 

3. Moderation and Balance: Pope encourages both writers and critics to avoid extremes. Writers should avoid excessive ornamentation or over-ambition, while critics should be fair and not overly harsh. He emphasizes moderation, saying:

 

"Avoid extremes; and shun (avoid) the fault of such,

Who still are pleased too little or too much."

 

4. Know Your Limits: Pope advises critics and writers to understand their own limitations and to avoid venturing into areas where they lack knowledge. He cautions against pretension, urging humility:

 

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

 

5. Imitate the Ancients, but with Caution: Pope encourages writers to learn from the classics and follow the models set by great writers of the past. However, he warns against blindly imitating them:

 

"Be not the first by whom the new are tried,

Nor yet the last to lay the old aside."

 

6. Nature as the Ultimate Guide: Pope stresses that Nature is the best guide for both writers and critics. He believes that the principles of good writing and criticism are inherent in nature itself:

 

"First follow Nature, and your judgment frame

By her just standard, which is still the same."

 

7. True Taste Requires Knowledge and Study: Good critics must have knowledge of their subject matter, and they must study the rules of writing. However, they must also apply their knowledge with right judgment:

 

"A little learning is a dangerous thing;

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."

 

8. Be Constructive, Not Destructive: Pope advises critics to be constructive in their criticism. Rather than seeking to tear down writers, they should aim to improve the art of writing:

 

"’Tis with our judgments as our watches, none

Go just alike, yet each believes his own."

 

Judgments and watches: Both are tools for interpreting the world — judgments help us assess and decide, while watches help us keep track of time. However, just as no two watches are perfectly synchronized, people’s judgments also differ.

 

None go just alike: Just as watches can be a few minutes fast or slow, people's judgments are influenced by personal experiences, biases, and perspectives, causing them to differ.

 

9. Pope on Shakespeare: Pope acknowledges Shakespeare as a natural genius, superior in creating characters, emotions, and dramatic situations. He praises Shakespeare’s ability to depict human nature universally, making his plays timeless.

However, he points out that Shakespeare violates Aristotle’s unities of time, place, and action. He argues that Shakespeare’s plays often mix tragedy and comedy, which was against Neoclassical ideals.

 

In nutshell, Pope's advice revolves around the importance of balance, self-awareness, and a deep understanding of the rules and principles of writing and criticism, while also maintaining a respect for the creativity and individuality of the writer.