Final answer:
The poet's first duty is to capture the essence of modern life, according to Eliot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question is c) Capture the essence of modern life. According to Eliot, the poet's first duty is to capture the essence of modern life. In his essay, "Tradition and the Individual Talent," Eliot emphasizes the importance of expressing the emotions and experiences of the contemporary era. This can be seen in his famous work, The Waste Land, which reflects the disillusionment and fragmentation of post WWI society.