Poetry is the work of poets, not of peoples or communities; artistic creation can never be anything but the production of an individual mind.

Quote by Lascelles Abercrombie

Topics: Creation Quotes

By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art...

By the general process of epic poetry, I mean the way this form of art...

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.

The epic poet has behind him a tradition of matter and a tradition of style;...

The epic poet has behind him a tradition of matter and a tradition of style;...

The first epics were intended for recitation; the literary epic is meant to be read.

The first epics were intended for recitation; the literary epic is meant to be read.

Traditional matter must be glorified, since it would be easier to listen to the re-creation...

Traditional matter must be glorified, since it would be easier to listen to the re-creation...

The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals;...

The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals;...

For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous...

For the stage displays the first vigorous expression, as the natural thing and without conspicuous...

The Border Ballads, for instance, and the Robin Hood Ballads, clearly suppose a state of...

The Border Ballads, for instance, and the Robin Hood Ballads, clearly suppose a state of...

There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into...

There is only one thing which can master the perplexed stuff of epic material into...

The reason can only be this: heroic poetry depends on an heroic age, and an...

The reason can only be this: heroic poetry depends on an heroic age, and an...

The world knows of a vast stock of epic material scattered up and down the...

The world knows of a vast stock of epic material scattered up and down the...

But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process...

But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process...

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.

Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to...

Epic poetry exhibits life in some great symbolic attitude. It cannot strictly be said to...

That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as...

That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as...

An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their...

An epic is not made by piecing together a set of heroic lays, adjusting their...

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word;...

No poet will ever take the written word as a substitute for the spoken word;...

It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become...

It seems difficult, sometimes, to believe that there was a time when sentiments now become...

The epic poet collaborates with the spirit of his time in the composition of his...

The epic poet collaborates with the spirit of his time in the composition of his...

But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation,...

But the gravest difficulty, and perhaps the most important, in poetry meant solely for recitation,...