ARS POETICA

Horace in his magnus opus Ars Poetica discusses the nature, function, and the theme of poetry in great detail. He has something important to say on the language of poetry as well. Horace seems to accept Plato’s and Aristotle’s views of poetry that it is imitation. Horace says that the ‘imitator’, that is the poet must “take his model from life and customs”. Not that the poet is to present the fact or ‘realities’ of life exactly as they are. The writer must mix the facts with fancy in such a way that they gel. The poet always makes his contribution. However, what the poet adds must not be something that is unbelievable. It should look like true and real.
When it comes to the function of poetry, Horace notes that poetry is to instruct and delight the reader. Thus he synthesizes Plato and Aristotle. He has something to say about the ‘practical use’ of poetry. He says that publishing poem earns money and reputation for the author. He recalls how poetry sought to inculcate moral values in the members of the society and restrained them from indulging in selfish and harmful pursuits. However, he notes, that the nature of poetry is to ‘charm the mind’.
A poem must have a beautiful form. It must also appeal to the heart rather than to the brain of the reader. Like Plato, Horace also thought that poetry appeals to emotions. All the same he does not think that it harms the society as Plato did. On this point he sides with Aristotle who held that poetry was closer to philosophy in the sense that both grapples with the mysteries of life.
On the theme of poetry Horace is not that specific. Anything can, provided it is ‘simple and uniform’, be an appropriate theme of poetry. He cautions the writers to be well aware of their strength and weakness. Any material derived from life and custom is simple. And any simple theme that does not incorporate irrelevant material is uniform. When the material from life is arranged in the right order, it will be beautiful according to Horace. He is of the view that sound judgment is the basis of good writing