Poetic Forms #1 Ars Poetica
An ars poetica poem is a poem examining the role of poets themselves as subjects, their relationships to the poem, and the act of writing.
Among the first known treatises on poetry, Horace’s “Ars Poetica” (also referred to as Letters to Piso) is literally translated as “The Art of Poetry” or “On the Art of Poetry.”
Composed sometime between 20 B.C.E. and 13 B.C.E., the poem outlines principles of poetry, including knowledge, decorum, and sincerity, and introduces Horace as both a poet and critic. In the piece, he advises poets to read widely, strive for precision, and seek honest criticism.
Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Criticism” is the most exemplary ars poetica of the Enlightenment. Written in 1709, Pope references Horace by name and offers general wisdom and advice to writers: “Be not the first by whom the new are tried, / Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.”
In Part I of “An Essay on Criticism,” Pope notes the lack of “true taste” in critics, stating: “’Tis with our judgments as our watches, none / Go just alike, yet each believes his own.”
Elements of Ars Poetica:
- Reflective Tone: Ars Poetica often carries a reflective and contemplative tone, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries and magic of poetry.
- Metaphor and Imagery: Poets use vivid metaphors and imagery to convey their thoughts about poetry. These images paint a canvas of emotions and perceptions.
- Universal Themes: While personal, Ars Poetica often touches on universal themes, connecting the poet’s personal experience to broader aspects of the human condition.
Example:
“A poem should be palpable and mute,
As a globed fruit,
Dumb
As old medallions to the thumb,
Silent as the sleeve-worn stone
Of casement ledges where the moss has grown—”
— Excerpt from ‘Ars Poetica’ by Archibald MacLeish
