Book Review - On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry

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The poetic spirit is immortal and can not be lost from humanity

~Friedrich Schiller

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Author: Friedrich Schiller

Genre: Essay

Originally Published: 1795

On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry is a 1795–6 paper by Friedrich Schiller on poetic theory and the different types of poetic relationship to the world. The work divides poetry into two forms. Naïve poetry is poetry of direct description while sentimental poetry is self-reflective. - Wikipedia

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  It is hard for anyone who ventures into the realm of Poetry, to avoid the great works of Germany's finest playwright and poet, Friedrich Schiller. Breathing the same rarified air as the likes of Goethe, whom he regularly corresponded with and pioneered the cultural movement of Weimar Classicism.

My introduction to Schiller was a peculiar one. The great composer Beethoven's final movement of Symphony No. 9 titled 'Ode to Joy' introduced me to the Poet whom Beethoven himself said stood higher in poetic brilliance than Goethe. As I study and live my own poetic journey, I am always fascinated by those characters considered at the forefront of Poetry - and if ever I can find a document that provides a glimpse into their minds and though processes (of which fortunately there are multitudes), then I drink up the knowledge lavishly like a thirsty desert-traveller in a splendid oasis. When one drinks the waters of wisdom, one is nourished in mind and soul. Such was the case when I stumbled upon Schiller's 'On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry'.

The main arguments in his essays are simple. He categorizes two styles or methodologies of poetic creation or those who practise the art of poetry. The two styles are Naïve and Sentimental Poetry, as the title of his book suggests. I will attempt to break down both styles, and give my closing remarks as to how it applies to my style of poetry, and if I fall into any of the two categories.

1) Naïve Poetry

Schiller does not use Naive in the perhaps negative denotation of the word. Instead, he implies that a Naive poet is one that retains his childlike innocence and directness. The Naive poet describes objects and nature as they are, they do not delve into the realm of ideas, but instead remain connected to 'nature' on a fundamental level. He emphasizes that these poets will 'be nature' rather than 'seek nature'. In Schiller's time, he attributed almost all the Greek poets like Homer and Virgil to Naive poets, as well as the likes of Shakespeare and Goethe.

Schiller, everyone of true 'genius' had to be Naive. In his book, he writes:

"Every true genius must be naive or it is not genius. Its naiveté alone makes it genius, and what it is in the intellectual and the aesthetical, it can not deny in the moral. Unaware of the rules, the crutches of weakness, the taskmaster of perversity, guided only by nature or instinct, its protecting angel, it walks calmly and safely through all the snares of false taste, in which, if it be not so prudent as to avoid it already from the distance, the non-genius will be unfailingly ensnared.”

2) Sentimental Poetry

Schiller describes sentimental poets as more self-reflective and questioning than naive poets. These were the poets who used the realms of ideas to create their works. Unfortunately, these poets have lost their childlike nature and in compensation, become too preoccupied with their thoughts and emotions.

Schiller ascribed most of the modern poets living in his era to be Sentimental poets. In the age of industrial revolution, he felt man was more and more being disconnected from nature, from 'the eternal unity with itself', and consequently, the art and poetry that emerged was more abstract, less grounded in natural/sensuous truth, and finally, more fragmented.

Conclusion

Currently, in the year 2025, a mere two hundred and thirty years from the publication of Schillers book, myself being a poet of sorts, can only come to the conclusion that Schiller was wrong. The modern poet, that is, of the 21st century, transcends any and all boundaries, simply for the reason that the information he has to work with is so vast and limitless, the capacities he has for travel and immersion are so expedient and affordable, that if the modern man wishes, he could easily immerse himself in nature completely, and become a Naive poet, or he can just as easily delve deep into his own psyche, and with the modern vocabulary, better understand his own emotions and feelings at such a precise level, that he could be the most sentimental of poets.

Therefore, at any given time, the modern poet, and myself included in that category, can choose to be Naive and/or Sentimental - all depending on the inspiration he is presented with at any given moment. In my particular life, I have written many a poem as related to nature; simply yet vividly describing the trees and the colours and patterns of leaves, the changing of seasons, the various landscapes I have come across, while simultaneously creating poems about such abstract feelings like love (To Speak of Love perhaps being the perfect example).

I further argue that the modern poet should endeavour not to fall into any ascribed category, and should instead attempt to exist outside categories. Schiller himself writes in this book that, "Poetry gives humanity it's most complete expression possible". In order to completely express all that encompasses a human being, certainly, just two categories is lacking.

Despite my harsh criticism, many wisdoms are gained from reading such works even if you disagree with them, if only to capture the essence of the writer, to follow the thought processes, and all in all, to gain a better understanding of the self.