T.S.Eliot critic-3
Distinction between the three voices of Poetry:-
Eliot was more concerned with the distinction between 2nd and
3rd voices. In his play “The Rock” he was limited in his freedom as
far as poetic manners were concerned. In the passages he wrote, it was the 2nd
voice addressing an audience . It was not a dramatic voice ,i.e. the lines for
the chorus in The Rock were not dramatic. The personages were not
individualized. The personages were speaking for Eliot not representing any
supposed character of their own.
Later he changed the pattern in his ‘Murder in the Cathedral’. Here the
Chorus is not unknown or anonymous. Here chorus is of ‘Char-women’ of Canterbury. Chorus is not identified with the
writer but writer identifies himself
with chorus. Though the chorus was not important in the play, the whole play
revolves around one character.
In 1949 he wrote ‘The Cocktail Party’ in which he created several
characters with each of whom he identifies himself while writing words for
them. From here the 3rd voice began to force itself on Eliot. Third
voice of poetry creates number of difficulties and complexities to the writer.
Like; the lines of poetry given to the characters in a verse play must be of
relevance and an essential part in the development of action. Lines of
different characters should suit them. The appropriateness is necessary.
Marlowe’s Tamburlaine is an example where third voice has been proved a mistake
. In order to express the third voice of poetry in the play the character must
be realistic and lifelike. The dramatist has to identify himself with
characters.
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