Arnold's Theory of Poetic Touchstones

Matthew Arnold proposed the concept of "touchstones" as a critical method. These are short, exemplary passages from highly regarded poetry used to evaluate the quality of other poetic works.

• The goal is to identify genuine "high poetic quality".
• Arnold believed comparing lines from contemporary or lesser poets against these touchstones would reveal their poetic merit (or lack thereof).
• He drew examples from poets like Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and Milton.

Poet Arnold Deemed 'Not Great Classic'

In his critical assessments, particularly within "The Study of Poetry", Arnold applied his touchstone method rigorously. While acknowledging the significance of historical poets, he sometimes found them lacking the specific qualities he associated with the absolute highest rank of poetry.

Regarding the poets listed:

• Arnold held poets like Shakespeare and Milton in high esteem as examples of English literary greatness.
• However, when discussing poets who might not fully meet his stringent criteria for the "great classics", Arnold specifically critiqued Geoffrey Chaucer.
• He felt Chaucer, despite his importance and narrative skill, did not consistently exhibit the "high seriousness" and stylistic perfection found in the very greatest poets, thus finding him "not one of the great classics".

Therefore, Chaucer is the English poet Arnold identified as falling short of the highest classical standard according to his theory.