Objective correlative

Eliot, Shakespeare and “i”        😎

Objective Correlative is a term popularized by T.S Eliot. T.S Eliot says, “The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an objective correlative. An objective correlative or a set of objects, images or situations combined to evoke a particular emotion.
Keeping in mind Objective Correlative, Eliot criticized as “Artistic failure”. Eliot’s “Hamlet” has also been criticized for criticizing Hamlet himself because Shakespeare is a great name. Indeed he is a great artist and playwright. He earned much fame in the world of drama. Nothing is perfect in this world As far as the art is concerned, there is always a space for improvement.
I believe Eliot was not wrong in criticizing Hamlet, because, “The Winter's Tale” has similar loopholes which highlight the importance of Objective Correlative. Undoubtedly, “The Winter's Tale” is one of Shakespeare's best play, yet it does not evoke the particular kind of emotions that are an integral part of the Objective Correlative.
“The Winter's Tale”, is a tragi_comedy but it has failed to evoke certain emotions or response from the readers. It fails to express the comedy and tragic elements with respect to Objective Correlative. Period of sixteen years is skipped from the play which could have elaborate the suffering of the king. Hermione king's wife, is also disappeared from the main scenes. As a reader, it is hard to relate to the sufferings of the king and the Queen. As far as the comedy elements are concerned, they also appear unexpectedly. Queen's sudden appearance at the end does not meet Objective Correlative.
The above mentioned loopholes, with respect to Objective Correlative, make this play, “«Another Artistic Failure»”. I have been unable to find the sentiments and feelings in “The Winter's Tale” that Shakespeare has tried to evoke. Shakespeare's other plays have succeeded in following the theory of Objective Correlative. “Macbeth” is a successful tragedy in this regard. In this play, he has shown the mental state of lady Macbeth through sleep walking at night. He doesn't describe what's happening to her, instead he has created this event to show how depressed she is. This whole incident evokes emotions of readers. In the same way, the hero's emotions in “Othello” meet the objective correlative theory. The outward actions and conditions in Othello correspond to the internal conditions.
It is not wrong to say that Shakespeare is a great playwright because he is still alive among us through his universal art. Even in 21st century his work is praised and criticized which contributes more to his popularity in the world of literature.
Analysis by Fatima Nasir