Question

The remark, 'heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together is made by----------- about------------

• A. T.S. Eliot, Coleridge
• B. Samuel Johnson, Johnson Donne
• C. Matthew Arnold, John Dryden
• D. T.S. Eliot, John Donne

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Samuel Johnson, Johnson Donne

Samuel Johnson's Famous Literary Criticism

• The quote, 'heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together', is a critical remark made by Samuel Johnson.
• This observation is typically applied to the poetry of John Donne and the broader school of Metaphysical poets.
• Metaphysical poetry is characterized by its intellectual complexity, intricate conceits (extended metaphors), and the unconventional juxtaposition of disparate ideas.
• Samuel Johnson, in his 'Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets' (1779-1781), critiqued Donne for what he perceived as an excessive and strained use of wit and learning, often forcing unrelated concepts together.
• Johnson felt that this technique, while displaying intellectual prowess, sometimes obscured the emotional sincerity and clarity of the poetry.
• He contrasted this with the more 'natural' and 'uniform' style he admired in poets like John Milton or Alexander Pope.
• Despite Johnson's criticism, John Donne and the Metaphysical poets have since been re-evaluated and are now highly regarded for their intellectual depth and innovative style.
• This quote is a significant point of discussion in the study of English literary criticism and the history of poetry, often appearing in questions related to literary analysis and historical context in competitive exams.
• Understanding Johnson's critique helps in analyzing the stylistic differences between various literary movements and poets.