His introduction to the study of the great classic poets,
containing his analysis of Homer's epics, is a work of great merit.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE REACTION IN POETRY.
Alfred Tennyson. Early Works. The Princess. Idyls of the King.
Elizabeth B. Browning. Aurora Leigh. Her Faults. Robert Browning. Other
Poets.
TENNYSON AND THE BROWNINGS.
ALFRED TENNYSON.--It is the certain fate of all extravagant movements,
social or literary, to invite criticism and opposition, and to be followed
by reaction. The school of Wordsworth was the violent protest against what
remained of the artificial in poetry; but it had gone, as we have seen, to
the other extreme. The affected simplicity, and the bald diction which it
inculcated, while they raised up an army of feeble imitators, also
produced in the ranks of poetry a vindication of what was good in the old;
new theories, and a very different estimate of poetical subjects and
expression. The first poet who may be looked upon as leading the
reactionary party is Alfred Tennyson.
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