Touchstone method

 

The touchstone method is one of the most powerful processes which is helped to identify seeking classic or not classic. This method is advocated of high seriousness which has been introduced by the famous poet, Victorian period (1832-1900) and critic of English literature, who is Matthew Arnold (1822-1888). He is called the father of criticism which means critics of criticism. Touchstone method likes Blackstone.

According to Aristotle, High seriousness is one of the greatest virtues of literary work. In the same way, Arnold has described, comprehensively, that high seriousness is the first condition to become including classic poet or writer. He has given the example of a classic or not classic writer of English literature. It is for reason that he has taken lines of poetry which are made by Chaucer, Dante, Dryden, William Shakespeare, Milton. He has told Chaucer, Dryden, and Dante who are not classic because their poetry have lack high seriousness that is why he calls them not classic poets but they are genius poets in English literature. on the other side, he has called that William Shakespeare who is the most classic poet in English literature although he has a little fault which is that he gives much information about little conception.