The Road Not Taken

To Be or Not to Be
<Tab/>"To be or not to be, that is the question." Shakespeare's infamous line illustrates one of the most important aspects of poetry, essence over meaning. Many literary critics believe that a good poem must not only give a meaning, but also give an experience as well. Archibald MacLeish states in his poem "Ars Poetica" that "A poem should not mean/ But be." MacLeish's assertion demonstrates the view of many writers that poetry must have essence in order to be great. Robert Frost's, "The Road Not Taken," demonstrates a poem in which a meaning is given…