Life of Cowley - Part B

  • What is your impression about Cowley's Pindarism?

The term “Pindaric” refers to the body of work, and style of the Greek poet Pindar. If Pindaric style is considered to be the highest and noblest kind of writing, it should be used for high and noble subjects. Cowley, influenced by Pindar's work, sought/tried to adapt his poetic techniques to English verse. 

My impression of Cowley's Pindarism is that it demonstrates his skill as a poet and his willingness to experiment with different forms and styles. In his Pindaric odes, Cowley often employed elaborate structures, including irregular stanzas, complex rhyme schemes, and sudden shifts in tone and subject matter.

Young readers were drawn to write like Pindar. Pindarism prevailed for about half a century, but finally it died away gradually. The Pindaric Odes enjoyed the highest admiration from the readers. But we find that Dr. Johnson had certain reservations (objections) about the Pindaric Odes. The thoughts are often new and interesting. The harmony of style hardly existed. The conception is noble but materials are ignoble. Dr. Johnson has emphasised the greatness of Cowley.