Types of Poetry
Poetry is an ancient art form whereby words are woven together to create rhythm, imagery, and emotion. It has been used for thousands of years to tell stories, to express emotion, and to reflect life experience. According to experts, there are three primary types of poetry. These are; narrative poetry, lyric poetry and dramatic poetry.
Narrative Poetry
Narrative poetry tells a story through verse. It may follow the classic story arc of a plot as seen in beloved tales such as Homer’s Odyssey or it may be a reflection on everyday life, like Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’. This type of poem usually involves characters and a plot and the form can vary, some including the classical three-line stanzas of Shakespearean sonnets or the more modern free form of Ginsberg’s ‘Howl’, a poem of free verse. Narrative poetry has the capacity to hook readers into the plot and cause them to engage emotionally, as they observe and learn from the characters represented in the poem.
Lyric Poetry
Lyric poetry is often described as the personal voice of a poet. It is often a reflection of their emotions, reminiscent of a song or a ballad. A poem of this type commonly follows specific poetic devices such as rhyme and meter, though it no longer needs to conform to the traditional structures of poetry such as the five-line haiku format. Examples of this type of poetry include William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ and Robert Brookes’ ‘Ode to a Nightingale. Lyric poetry incorporates elements of music as well as drama in order to evoke a strong emotion from the reader. It appeals to the sensations, providing a timeless exploration of life and what it means to be human.
Dramatic Poetry
Dramatic poetry is a theatrical way of storytelling through verse. Going beyond a simple spoken word poem, this type of poem involves multiple characters and theatrics. Often presented as a dialogue between characters, dramatic poetry can be seen in works such as Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’. This type of poetry incorporates elements of theatre, music, and storytelling to convey an emotive tale of morality. Unlike other types of poetry, dramatic poetry often has a particular moral message or lesson, the intention of which is to entertain, inform, and educate its audience.
Applications Of Poetry
The appeal of poetry and the strength of its messages can be witnessed in the endless applications and interpretations of it. Poetry can be read, sung, performed, or written. It can be seen as a form of literature or a personal expression. It can be used for therapeutic purposes and as a form of communication. It can be a form of public discourse, or a tool for spreading awareness about important issues. Poetry can be used as a form of education, in that writers may use it to impart knowledge about their culture, their communities, and the world in which we live.
Poetry and Protest
Some consider poetry to be the original form of protest. It was, in many ways, the precursor of the protest song. Its ability to express emotion and opinion in a powerful way made it a powerful tool for those without a voice. In many cultures, poets were seen to have a special status, with the power to persuade and influence people’s opinions. This can still be witnessed today, as poets use their art form as a way of bringing attention to injustice and inequality. Examples of this can be seen in the work of rap artist Kendrick Lamar, who uses his lyrics to comment on issues such as racism and poverty.
The Future of Poetry
The future of poetry is still uncertain. Despite its recent resurgence, the popularity of the art form remains largely dependent on social and economic trends. Although it continues to be embraced and mainstreamed, there are still debates as to whether it can be considered literary art or should be regarded as simply entertainment. Although unlikely to reach the levels of notoriety of past eras, poetry has been around for centuries and is certain to remain in some form or another, even in the face of cultural decline.
Poetry Movements
One way in which poetry has been kept alive is through the formation of poetry movements or collectives. Over the years, many artists have come together in order to use poetry as a form of expression and protest. Perhaps the most famous example is that of the Beat Generation, which saw the likes of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady transforming literature and life through their work. In more recent times, this has been seen in the emergence of slam poetry and spoken word competitions in forming counterculture communities.
Poetry Contests
Poetry contests have also been used as a way of promoting the art form. These contests are often competitive and offer prizes to the winner, such as publication or recognition within the poetry community. They often act as a platform for poets to showcase their work and receive feedback from audiences and other poets. They also encourage poets to explore their creativity and take risks with their writing.
Poetry Education
Poetry is no longer seen as an isolated practice and is now taught in various educational contexts. Whether as part of a university course, a school curriculum, or an independent workshop, the exploration and investigation of the power of language and its use to communicate emotion and experience can be accessed by almost everyone. Poetry education has the potential to open up the world of creativity and expression to anyone willing to take the risk.
Poetry and Technology
In recent years, the use of technology to access and create poetry has become increasingly popular. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube provide poets with a platform to promote their work and an audience to interact with. This allows individual poets to build an online following, interact with fans, and create a more personal bond with listeners than ever before.
Conclusion
From its beginnings as an oral art form, poetry has now evolved into something we can experience in a variety of ways. Whether through literature, education, performances, competitions, or technology, poetry has the power to move us, to connect us to one another, and to provide us with a platform to express our thoughts and ideas. On the whole, there are three main types of poetry; narrative, lyric, and dramatic. Each of these forms has its own unique style and sets of rules, and each is capable of engaging readers, whether through their stories, emotions, or moral lessons.
