Critically discuss the changing views of wit with particular reference to Hobbes Dryden, Locke, Pope and T.S. Eliot. ( MEG 102 ) ( THE AGE OF DRYDEN )

The concept of wit has been an important element of English literature for centuries, and its meaning and significance have evolved over time. The views on wit have been shaped by various thinkers and writers, including Thomas Hobbes, John Dryden, John Locke, Alexander Pope, and T.S. Eliot.

Thomas Hobbes was one of the first to define wit in a modern sense, arguing that it was a form of intellectual power that allowed individuals to make unexpected connections between seemingly disparate ideas. For Hobbes, wit was closely linked to language, and he believed that the most successful use of wit was in the creation of metaphors.

John Dryden, writing during the late 17th century, had a different view of wit. He saw it as a way of demonstrating one's superiority over others through cleverness and ingenuity. Dryden believed that wit should be used to entertain and delight readers, but also to convey deeper truths about human nature and society.

John Locke, writing around the same time as Dryden, had a more skeptical view of wit. He believed that it was a superficial form of cleverness that did not have any real value or significance. Locke argued that true knowledge and understanding could only be achieved through careful observation and empirical investigation, rather than through the use of wit or clever wordplay.

Alexander Pope, writing in the early 18th century, developed a more nuanced view of wit. He believed that wit could be used to convey deeper philosophical and moral truths, but only if it was used in moderation and in the service of a larger purpose. Pope also emphasized the importance of clarity and simplicity in writing, arguing that wit should not be used to obscure or confuse meaning.

T.S. Eliot, writing in the early 20th century, had a more critical view of wit. He saw it as a form of intellectualism that had become disconnected from the deeper emotional and spiritual truths of human experience. Eliot argued that the overuse of wit had contributed to a "dissociation of sensibility" in modern literature, where writers had become too focused on cleverness and clever wordplay at the expense of genuine emotion and feeling.

In conclusion, the changing views on wit in English literature reflect larger shifts in intellectual and cultural trends over time. While some writers and thinkers have seen wit as a valuable tool for expressing deeper truths about the human experience, others have viewed it as a superficial form of cleverness that does not have any real value or significance. Ultimately, the meaning and significance of wit in literature are likely to continue to evolve as writers and thinkers continue to grapple with questions of language, meaning, and human experience.