Lascelles Abercrombie

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.

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.

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word; he knows that it is read more

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word; he knows that it is on the spoken word, and the spoken word only, that his art is founded.

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.

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.