Merope and the Poetics of Literary Revivalism

Abstract

Looks for reasons to explain Arnold’s failure to create a successful classical drama. Believes that although he understood the difference between emulation and imitation, Arnold’s slavish adherence to the latter stifled his creativity and prevented him from infusing his play with any contemporary relevance. Concludes he was simply too intent on recreating the form of Greek tragedy to be able to transform his classical content into a drama that would appeal to modern readers.