The remark, 'heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together is made by----------- about------------
AT.S. Eliot, Coleridge
BSamuel Johnson, Johnson Donne
CMatthew Arnold, John Dryden
DT.S. Eliot, John Donne
Answer:
B. Samuel Johnson, Johnson Donne
Read Explanation:
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.