Poetry and Contemplation A New Preface to Poetics [Paperback]

Originally published in 1937, this book by G. Rostrevor Hamilton examines the place of poetry in human life.Originally published in 1937, this book examines the place of poetry in human life. Hamilton argues that, rather than justifying poetry as a worthy mental exercise, the experience of poetry as a contemplative and conscious experience is sufficient reward and justification for its existence as an art form.Originally published in 1937, this book examines the place of poetry in human life. Hamilton argues that, rather than justifying poetry as a worthy mental exercise, the experience of poetry as a contemplative and conscious experience is sufficient reward and justification for its existence as an art form.The arts are often justified by those creating and experiencing them as having some kind of value beyond their mere being. Originally published in 1937, this book examines the place of poetry in human life. Hamilton argues that, rather than justifying poetry as a worthy mental exercise, the experience of poetry as a contemplative and conscious experience is sufficient reward and justification for its existence as an art form. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in poetry or the maxim 'ars gratia artis'.Introduction; 1. Poetic experience: the sphere of poetics; 2. Distractions; 3. Unconscious experience; 4. The wholeness of experience; 5. Wholeness and objective theories; 6. The growth of experience; 7. The continuity of experience; 8. Analysis of experience; 9. Contemplative experience: the aesthetic attitude; 10. Objective experiences; 11. Poetic and ordinary experience: the difference; 12. Poetic and ordinary experience: the connection; 13. Creation of experience: definition of a poet; 14. Reality and facts of mind; 15. Poetic emotions; 16. The poet and society; Index.