Who among the following refers to “high seriousness” as a quality of a great poet and quotes john Milton to prove the same?
[A] T. S Eliot
[B] Ezra pound
[C] Matthew Arnold
[D] I. A. Richards
[E] G. M. Hopkins
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is C only, which corresponds to Matthew Arnold.

Detailed Explanation:
Matthew Arnold, the celebrated Victorian poet and literary critic, introduced the concept of "high seriousness" in his landmark essay, The Study of Poetry (1880). Arnold argued that the finest poetry possesses a high degree of truth and seriousness, which he linked closely to Aristotle's concept of spoudaiotes (high seriousness). According to Arnold, this quality is what distinguishes truly great poetry from the mediocre.
To determine whether a poem possesses this high level of excellence, Arnold formulated the "touchstone method." This method involves comparing the poetry under evaluation against selected, recognized masterpieces of the past. Arnold selected classic lines from poets like Homer, Dante, William Shakespeare, and John Milton to serve as these "touchstones."

To prove his point, Arnold quoted several passages from John Milton's epic Paradise Lost, showcasing Milton's elevated style, grand scale, and moral gravity as prime examples of "high seriousness" in English literature. Because this critical framework and the specific references to Milton are unique to Arnold's critical theory, the correct choice is Matthew Arnold (C) only.