William Hazlitt, “On the Living Poets”

Hazlitt compares Walter Scott’s poetry to that of the improvisatori insofar as both types of poetry lack depth and substance, but are pleasing by virtue of their interesting subject matter.

Performer Name:
 
Performance Venue:
 
Performance Date:
 
Author:
Hazlitt, William
Date Written:
 
Language:
English
Publication Title:
The Complete Works of William Hazlitt
Article Title:
On the Living Poets
Page Numbers:
5: 154
Additional Info:
Ed. P. P. Howe
Publisher:
Dent
Place of Publication:
London
Date Published:
1930

Text:

Walter Scott is the most popular of all the poets of the present day, and deservedly so. […] His poetry belongs to the class of improvisatori poetry. It has neither depth, height, nor breadth in it; neither uncommon strength, nor uncommon refinement of thought, sentiment, or language. It has no originality. But if this author has no research, no moving power in his own breast, he relies with the greater safety and success on the force of his subject. He selects a story such as is sure to please, full of incidents, characters, peculiar manners, costume, and scenery; and he tells it in a way that can offend no one. He never wearies or disappoints you.

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Collected by:
EW