Analysis of Ars Poetica, part 18

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At this point, in Ars Poetica, Horace has written some of the most beautiful and ethical lines related to criticism. He asks the critics not to be dogmatic and unnecessary critical. A master musician can also produce jarring music from his instrument. An expert archer can also miss his aim. A poem full of elegance can also have blemishes in it. The important thing is that the mistakes committed by a poet should not be repeated by him. If he repeats his mistake then he would be like a musician who plays and repeats the same mistake. If there are more beauties and less mistakes in a literary work then there is no problem at all. No literary work can be devoid of mistakes. Just like while reading a long poem, it is possible to sleep in between for a while. Similarly in a long work, there are little mistakes to be found here and there.

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