Would anyone like to explain some lines from an "Essay on Criticism for me" by Alexander Pope?Explaining the following lines of An Essay on Criticism: Lines 68-75 First follow NATURE, and your...
Would anyone like to explain some lines from an "Essay on Criticism for me" by Alexander Pope?
Explaining the following lines of An Essay on Criticism:
Lines 68-75
First follow NATURE, and your Judgment frame
By her just Standard, which is still the same: 70 Unerring Nature, still divinely bright,
One clear, unchang'd and Universal Light,
Life, Force, and Beauty, must to all impart,
At once the Source, and End, and Test of Art.
Art from that Fund each just Supply provides,
Works without Show, and without Pomp presides:
1 Answer
readerofbooks | College Teacher | (Level 2) Educator Emeritus
Without the fuller context, it will be hard to know what is exactly being stated. However, the word here suggest a few points.
First, there is an exhortation to follow nature. This is explained further by stating that the reader should change his or her mentality to match that of nature. In other words, the reader should strive to think nature's thoughts after it.
Second, nature is praised as consistent and more importantly unerring. Along with these two qualities of nature, there is a praise of nature. It is divinely bright, clear, and beautiful.
Third, reasons are given as to why the reader should follow nature. It is a the source of many things. It is also the standard for beauty. Finally, it is humble, that is, without show and without pomp.