Meaning: The quote "Since the printing press came into being, poetry has ceased to be the delight of the whole community of man; it has become the amusement and delight of the few" by John Masefield, a renowned English poet, reflects a contemplation on the impact of the printing press on the accessibility and reception of poetry. This quote suggests that the advent of the printing press transformed the way poetry is consumed and appreciated, leading to a shift from being a source of widespread enjoyment to a niche interest.

Prior to the invention of the printing press, which revolutionized the production and dissemination of written material, poetry was primarily shared through oral traditions, recitations, and handwritten manuscripts. The oral tradition allowed poetry to be accessible to a broader audience, as it was often performed in communal settings and passed down through generations. This meant that poetry was an integral part of the cultural fabric, enjoyed by people from all walks of life. However, with the advent of the printing press, poetry became more widely distributed in written form, but the cost and availability of printed material limited its accessibility to a select few who could afford books and other printed materials.

Masefield's assertion that poetry has become the "amusement and delight of the few" suggests that the proliferation of printed poetry created a divide between those who could access and appreciate it and those who could not. The quote implies that the printing press inadvertently contributed to the exclusivity of poetry, making it a pastime for the privileged rather than a shared cultural experience for the masses.

In addition to the accessibility of poetry, the quote also touches upon the changing nature of its reception. The shift from oral tradition to printed form altered the way poetry was consumed and appreciated. In oral tradition, poetry was often a communal experience, with listeners actively engaging with the performance and interpretation of the poetic works. With the emergence of printed poetry, the act of reading became a more solitary activity, and the interpretation of poems became more individualized. As a result, poetry may have lost some of its communal and participatory qualities, becoming a more solitary pursuit for the literary elite.

Furthermore, the quote implies that the printing press may have inadvertently contributed to the commodification of poetry. With the ability to mass-produce and distribute poetry in printed form, the market for poetry became more commercialized, catering to a specific audience and potentially influencing the content and style of poetic works. This commercialization could have further distanced poetry from its roots as a form of cultural expression and communal enjoyment.

It is important to note that Masefield's perspective on the impact of the printing press on poetry is just one viewpoint, and there are differing opinions on the subject. While the printing press may have transformed the accessibility, reception, and commercialization of poetry, it also facilitated the preservation and wider dissemination of poetic works, allowing them to reach audiences across different geographical locations and time periods.

In conclusion, John Masefield's quote reflects a contemplation on the transformative influence of the printing press on the accessibility and reception of poetry. It highlights the shift from poetry being a shared cultural delight to becoming a pastime for the privileged few, as well as the potential impact of the printing press on the communal nature and commercialization of poetic works. While the advent of the printing press undoubtedly altered the landscape of poetry, it also opened up new possibilities for the preservation and dissemination of poetic expression, shaping the evolution of this art form over time.