What is the nature of poetic truth?

Or,

What sort of truth does poetry give?

 

Ans. Wordsworth's conception of poetry is an exalted one. He is in full agreement with Aristotle that poetic truth is much higher than the truth of history or philosophy. While history deals merely with particular facts and philosophy deals merely with universal and abstract truth, without providing examples to illustrate those truths; poetry alone deals with both the particular and the general. The object of poetry, says Wordsworth, is truth, not individual and local truth but general and operative truth. The truth, which is the object of poetry, does not stand upon external testimony but is carried alive into the heart by passion. The poet depicts both man and nature. He aims at being true to nature, and at the faithful reproduction of what he has seen and known about man and nature. This faithful representation of life in poetry is done in order to give pleasure. Knowledge of truth is a source of spiritual pleasure. The poet studies man in his ordinary life and sees the souls of man to discover truth and promote knowledge. Thus, according to Wordsworth, poetic truth is universal and general and can be shared by all.