# Things Should Be Judged by Merit explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A poem critiquing the art world's tendency to value works based on attributed authorship rather than intrinsic merit. A painting admired as a masterpiece by an old master is suddenly dismissed as a 'daub' when a critic reveals it is a modern work. The poem argues for judging art and people by their true worth, not by reputation or origin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The poem delivers a clear moral lesson: judge people and works by their intrinsic merit, not by reputation or origin.

## Key lines

> A picture hung in a public hall, And it was much admired by all, Painted by a true artist’s hand, The subject it was truly grand.

A painting displayed in a public space was universally praised for its artistic quality and grand subject.

_Establishes the initial high regard for the artwork._

> At last a critic keen did gaze And saw ’twas work of modern days, Then quick it was pronounced a daub, And artist but a money grab.

A sharp-eyed critic recognized it as a contemporary piece, and it was immediately dismissed as a crude work by a greedy artist.

_Highlights the sudden devaluation based on perceived authorship._

> The true, the noble and the grand, Will lend to struggling helping hand, Then let no man of dues be shorn, If he a subject doth adorn.

Truly noble and great people support those who are struggling. No one should be denied what they deserve if they have done worthy work.

_Concludes with a moral appeal for fairness and support based on merit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/things-should-be-judged-by-merit
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters