Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

From the introduction in the Norton Anthology:
--"Pope was the first English writer to build a lucrative, lifelong career by publishing his works" : Yes, but that reflects changes in the reading public and printing technology, not that Pope was the first popular writer. And popularity is important, as you can dress it up and call it the "judgment of the ages."
--"Pope's first striking success as a poet was An Essay on Criticism (1711) . . ." : Only in the long Eighteenth Century could criticism be a matter of public concern.
--"In framing his critical creed, Pope did not try for novelty: he wished merely to give to generally accepted doctrines pleasing and memorable expression and made them useful to modern poets" : This is misleading; he has potential critics in mind. (And his aim of speaking "generally accepted doctrines" is virtuous but -- I think -- results in a poem best described by its own lines 239 - 242).

The subject matter is also one that is prominent in the period as a whole. "An Essay on Criticism" might be the guidebook for that member of the Spectator's club who is supposed to be studying law, but whose real focus is on Aristotle, Longinus, and the stage: "His familiarity with the customs, manners, actions, and writings of the ancients makes him a very delicate observer of what occurs to him in the present world. He is an excellent critic, and the time of the play is his hour of business . . ." (p. 2642)

"Nature affords at least a glimmering light" (line 21), but "by false learning is good sense defaced" (line 25)--Compare to "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift," "As Rochefoucauld his maxims drew / From nature, I believe 'em true" .

"All fools have still an itching to deride, / And fain would be upon the laughing side" (lines 32-33) --This is similar to what Swift, in "Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift," said about people's reaction to his death. Vanity, the desire to be superior, often drowns a just evaluation.

"Be sure yourself and your own reach to know, / How far your genius, taste, and learning go" (lines 48-49).

"First follow Nature" (line 68); "Art from that fund each just supply provides" (74) -- This section is, I think, kind of mystical.

"Those rules of old discovered, not devised, / Are Nature still, but Nature methodized" . This is Pope's contribution to the literary/cultural event known as The Battle of the Books or Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns.

Part 2 is mainly concerned with the various kinds of mistakes that a critic can make, but Pope first says that you have to correct your character by embracing "right reason," putting away pride, and knowing yourself. The passage is reminiscent of this passage from Spectator #2 (by Steele):"I shall not be so vain as to think that where Spectator appears the other public prints will vanish; but shall leave it to my reader's consideration whether it is not much better to be let into the knowledge of one's self, than to hear what passes in Muscovy or Poland . . ." .

Condensed version of Part 2:

• "A little learning is a dangerous thing
  Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring" (line 215)
• "A perfect judge will read each work of wit
  With the same spirit that its author writ" (line 233). --There is a lot in here about the importance of considering the whole piece, and not nit-picking something to pieces.
• "Some to conceit alone their taste confine,
  And glittering thoughts struck out in every line" (line 289).
• "Others for language all their care express,
  And value books as women men, for dress" (line 305).
• "But most by numbers judge a poet's song,
  And smooth or rough with them is right or wrong" (line 337). --Here follows my favorite passage, and the only one that gets specific about literature, Pope's virtuouso commentary on versification.
• "Avoid extremes; and shun the fault of such
  Who still are pleased too little or too much" (line384) --Summary of sections above.
• "Some foreign writers, some our own despise;
  The ancients only, or the moderns prize" (line 394)
• "Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own,
  But catch the spreading notion of the town" (line 408)
• "Some valuing those of their own side or mind,
  Still make themselves the measure of mankind" (line 452) --On self-regarding, envious bias.
• "Be thou the first true merit to befriend;
  His praise is lost who stays till all commend" (line 474)
• "Unhappy wit, like most mistaken things,
  Atones not for that envy which it brings" (line 494)
--This is the first of two verse paragraphs in which Pope advises critcs to be kind, and not scorn everything which falls short of perfection. The second verse paragraph concludes with the famous line: "To err is human, to forgive divine" (line 525)
• "But if in noble minds some dregs remain
  Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain
  Discharge that rage on more provoking crimes,
  Nor fear a dearth in these flagitious times." (line 526)

Part 3 is entirely concerned with the personal qualities of a critic. Harsh & pompous is bad; moderate and considerate is good. The section ends with a review of good critics through the ages, and sums up with praise of Walsh, Pope's own mentor.