Lascelles Abercrombie ( 10 of 13 )
It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become habitual, sentiments that imply not read more
It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become habitual, sentiments that imply not only the original imperative of conduct, but the original metaphysic of living, were by no means altogether habitual.
Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production read more
Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production of an individual mind .
But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process will therefore be a recurring read more
But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process will therefore be a recurring process, the series a recurring series - though not in exact repetition .
Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production read more
Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production of an individual mind.
Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to symbolize life itself, but always read more
Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to symbolize life itself, but always some manner of life.
An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their discrepancies and making them into read more
An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their discrepancies and making them into a continuous narrative.
By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art has constantly responded to the read more
By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art has constantly responded to the profound needs of the society in which it was made.
It is more difficult to keep the attention of hearers than of readers.
It is more difficult to keep the attention of hearers than of readers.
But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation, is the difficulty of achieving read more
But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation, is the difficulty of achieving verbal beauty, or rather of making verbal beauty tell.
If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it.
If epic poetry is a definite species, the sagas do not fall within it.
