Republic of the Philippines

Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education Mindanao
The Multicultural Education Hub

Kristine Dyan M. Missiona Dr. Adelyne Costelo-Abrea

Literary Criticism June 8, 2023

Horace’s Dulce et Utile: The Beautiful and Useful Works of Literary Arts

Horace concept of ‘utile et dulce’ describes literature as ‘sweet and useful’. It means that
literature should be ‘utile’ (useful) or teach the readers and ‘dulce’ (sweet) that it will delight readers
at the same time. He believed that the purpose of literature is to provide knowledge and give
enjoyment or pleasure to the readers. He also believed in the simplicity and unity of a literary work.
The latter describes the structure plot of a work, having beginning, middle, and ending, while the
former marked the use of simple words which can be understood by all the readers.

Citing one literary work that provides knowledge and serves a moral purpose to the readers,
the masterpiece of Marx Ehrmann’s ‘Desiderata’. This famous poem replete with wisdom and truths
teaches readers with important tenants on how to live a balance and peaceful life. The poem
highlights different themes such as self-authenticity, compassion, and the like, and how one can
maintain harmony to his own soul amidst the chaotic world. Desiderata offers readers with valuable
lessons that they can draw inspirations from to live a virtuous life. Above all, the poem wants the
readers to cultivate a positive outlook in life despite the imperfections of life. With its speech-like
structure and usage of uncomplicated words, the poem is convenient to understand.

Another literary work that serves to educate readers is “The Analects of Confucius”, a
collection of teachings and philosophies of Confucius. It embodies the basic values of the Confucian
tradition: morality, ritual decorum, learning and filial piety. The literary work educates readers on
how to live a proper life by emphasizing the value of morality for the betterment of a man’s self and
the society that he is in. The Analects serves to teach human beings to maintain a morally upright
life. This work is useful in directing readers to the right way of living.
 On the other hand, the first literary work which I believe meet the standard of Horace in
poetry in the concept of ‘dulce’ is the classic poem of William Wordsworth titled "I Wandered
Lonely as a Cloud". This poem narrates the imaginative wandering of the speaker upon the sublimity
of the daffodils. He took joy and awe in witnessing the nature of beauty around him. The poem does
not only recount his journey to the readers but engages also the reader’s imagination to experience
the same thing he did. The poem gives pleasures to the readers as it tickles their imagination to the
splendour of nature. It draws readers to the connection they have with the natural world and brings
them the feeling of nostalgia and happiness. It also uses simple words that makes it easy to
understand, and began and ended with clear beginning and ending.

This second literary work which I believe gives a strong elixir of enjoyment and sadness is
the poignant romance novel by Nicholas Sparks, “Dear John”. The novel follows the story of a
young couple dealing in a distant relationship. The characters are challenged by the ups and downs
of a summer love worsen by each of their life responsibilities. It gives readers the romantic
excitement as it unfolds the young couple’s joyful moments and heart-rending dilemmas. Although it
ends tragically, the novel is something that readers, especially the young ones, to contemplate about
making the hardest decisions that are not regrettable in life. Marked by the novel’s clarity of words
and unity in plot, Sparks asserts in this novel his “best-selling author” prestige.

The concept of utile and dulce can be both found in a single literature. The example which I
point out that possessed both of these concepts is the novel by the American writer Mitch Albom’s
“Tuesdays with Morrie”. This is an inspiring true story from the author himself, where he recounts
the time he spent learning about life’s greatest lessons from his dying college professor who was his
mentor during their younger days. His professor Morrie, along with reflections and lessons, shared
to his former student to value the most important things in life. The book both serves to convey
knowledge to the readers the importance of living life in the most meaningful way as well as
allowing readers to enjoy the roller coaster of emotions that were actually experienced by the
characters. With its comprehensible and remarkable plot, this novel truly depicts many contemporary
issues that today’s generation is facing today.

Another literature that brings knowledge and enjoyment to the readers is “The Alchemist” by
Paulo Coelho that narrates the story of a young boy embarking on a journey to seek treasures in the
Egyptian pyramids. During the span of his journey, the young boy learned the culture of Egypt as
well as discovers the meaning of life through life’s experiences. The story teaches us about the
wisdom of conquering fear and never giving up to your dreams. The most important thing
emphasized is that the source of knowledge is experience.

Horace’s concept of dulce and etile has given readers the opportunity to criticize readers by
its aesthetic and moralistic value. It allows them to analyze a literary work by the purpose it serves.
Furthermore, the significance of the Horatian concept of “utile et dulce” may also inspired writers to
not just write mindlessly, but to write with a purpose. He inspired writers to write with a didactic
purpose and at the same time, give enjoyment to humans, perhaps as a way to momentarily escape
the literal world. Horace’s standard has made literature a more meticulous and meaningful work of
art.