‘The qualities of a great poet'

Natural , Inborn , Instict :-

Ben Jonson believed that poets are endowed with natural talents. The poet should be divinly inspired. That is why the poet is rare. They are not made but they are born. They posseses certain inherent qualities. Thus, the poet must have the gift of that perfection of nature.

Constant exercise and practice :-

Practice and constant exercise are neccesary to perfect inborn gifts. Natural genious is not enough for poetry after all it is a painful toil. The poet must have study and practice. His opinion runs with Dante and not with Wordsworth. Since Wordsworth believed that ‘ poetry is spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling ‘ whereas Dante believed that ‘it is an elaborate and painful toil’
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Imitation :-

Ben Jonson also use word Imitation but in a different context. A good poet imitates some model preferably from ancient masters. An imitation is not be a mere poping, it is to be process of assimilation and recreation. He believe that imitation of great poet is not bad. It gives the poet an opportunity to learn the true elements of good style.

Wide study and knowledge :-

The poet should have wide reading. He should read widely and carefully. Without reading great work of art , ot is not possible for anybody to be a great poet.

Art and Technique :-

The poet must know that he can’t become a poet all of his works within a flash of light. The poet must be the master of techniquel aspects. These things do not come automatically but the poet must learn this technique with great efforts. He must try to be perfect in his language, diction, form and style.