But why would the poet want to exercise that option? In my view, it's for reasons that ultimately have nothing to do with the satisfaction to be derived by his readers. It's a personal thing. Just as I don't actually care whether a painter's portrait of his Aunt Sally is an accurate depiction or her, since I don't know Aunt Sally, and I only care whether it is a good portrait. The painter, though, may take great pains to make sure that everyone in his family can recognize Aunt Sally.
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