Quote by Thomas Carlyle
We have our little theory on all human and divine things. Poetry, the workings of genius itself, which, in all times, with one or another meaning, has been called Inspiration, and held to be mysterious and inscrutable, is no longer without its scientific exposition. The building of the lofty rhyme is like any other masonry or bricklaying: we have theories of its rise, height, decline and fall -- which latter, it would seem, is now near, among all people.
Summary
This quote suggests that even the most divine and mysterious aspects of human experience can be explained through science and theory, including poetry and artistic genius. It argues that poetry is not an elusive inspiration, but rather a craftsmanship that can be understood and analyzed. The quote also implies that there is a particular theory on the lifespan and eventual decline of poetry, implying that it may be losing favor in contemporary society.
Topics
Criticism
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