Hazlitt and the Real Language of Poetry

摘要: In his Letter to William Gifford, Hazlitt attributes the fidelity truth in literary criticism early discovery of metaphysical truth, offering, explication that a lengthy summary Essay on Principles Human Action (9:51-58).(1) We are invited, then, look for origins Hazlitt's critical position, and understanding poetic language which informs position. It will be found entire basis may summarized as subordination senses mind. Every later development thought is rooted subordination. independence mind from sensory manipulation, or equivalently, manipulation by objects an external material reality, we identify concept "power." The affirmation innate power subtext theory discourse particular.(2) Scholars philosophical have tended characterize theoretical position dependent primarily empiricist epistemology method. upon this Elizabeth Schneider makes her categorical distinction between Coleridge "idealist" realist" 1930s, most subsequent studies deviated hardly at all epistemological reading based.(3) Albrecht's view Creative Imagination typical. "Hazlitt retains mind's dependence senses"; kept control within empirical limits"; "Matter remains, Hazlitt, cause our sensations, consequently source ideas."(4) By contrast, I show poetics epistemology, account imagination informed "power" surpasses limits. 1. Empiricist Reading. transfiguration best illustrated context great "Defence" introduction Lectures English Poets. lecture On Poetry General" obvious starting-point analysis poetics, its object definition; determination, puts it A letter "what poetry is" (9:44). To added further qualification. undertakes so define poetry, broadening applicability term, vindicate activity poet. doing, falls into genre which, following pattern set Aristotle's Poetics, Sidney's Defence Poetry, closer own time, Shelley's belong. generic necessity, cogent forceful statement conveniently drawing together various assumptions about composition recur throughout work. "On appears contain surprisingly technical physical process, surprising" antithetical relation science often assumed elsewhere writings, not least latter part essay itself (5:9).(5) Nonetheless, definition with begins, said, therefore, mark point departure series Poets, presents stimulation response modelled Locke's quasi-scientific hypothesis -- akin corpuscular" theories Newton impulses received particles travelling objects, there something here too, Hume's "first principle" human nature, idea (object thought) always presupposes impression:(6) general notion can give is, natural impression any event, vividness exciting involuntary movement passion, producing, sympathy certain modulation voice, sounds, expressing it. …