Exploring Universal Themes in Poetry
The glorious tradition of poetry has been known since the dawn of civilisation, used to express beauty, emotion, and truth. While many generations and types of poems exist, some themes are universal throughout the centuries. Here, we explore the most common thematic elements seen in poetry throughout the ages, and discuss their meaning and why they can still resonate today.
Poetry is full of many different motifs and ideas; love, sadness, and joy, to name a few. Yet, there are certain themes that stand out in poetry. Over the ages, these themes have changed very little; they are based in emotion, truth, and beauty. These universal themes provide a way for poets to connect with their readers, no matter the poem’s style, or even the language in which it has been written.
One of the most powerful and universal themes in poetry is love. From passionate declarations of everlasting devotion like in Shakespeare’s sonnets, to heartbreaking reflections of love lost in Anne Sexton’s work, this concept has been explored for centuries, across cultures and generations. This powerful emotion is timeless; it is a feeling that people from any place or time can relate to or recognize. Exploring love gives readers a unique way to explore their own experiences, letting them discover new perspectives into their own individual journeys.
Sadness is another timeless theme that is often seen throughout poetry. Instead of turning away from pain, literature gives voices to the forgotten and ignored. Many famous works use moments of sorrow to remind readers of the struggles we can fortunately move past. This transcends our everyday life, and developing empathy and understanding through literature is only achievable through exploring sadness and despair. Poetry allows readers to explore sadness and brings solace to it, reminding us just how important it is to acknowledge, process, and overcome our struggles in life.
Finally, hope is one of the most prevalent and enduring themes throughout poetry. It is an evergreen topic, beckoning readers to believe in themselves and in the world as a whole. In fact, when examined closely, this concept echoes in many poetic works, from the Bible to progressive modern pieces alike. As poet L.R. Heart states, “Hope is a canvas that the night stretches in front of the morning.” Through exploring this subject, poets give readers hope that their lives can be filled with peace, joy, and promise.
These three themes are just a few of the many constant motifs present in poetry. From love to sadness, to hope, these universal themes have been used in literature for centuries, connecting cultures and generations in an unending cycle.
Our Identities in Poetry
Our identities are so intertwined with our perspectives and the world around us, and they are an integral part of the poetic journey. When looking at life through a poet’s lens, we can reflect on our individual identities, as well as recognize the collective identity of humanity. Poetry provides an opportunity to look beyond our smaller lives, awakens self-reflection, and can ignite a sense of hope in readers that a better future lies ahead.
The beauty of exploring identity in poetry is that it can produce different outcomes for each reader. It allows people to discover and uncover parts of themselves, and provokes insight into why they take certain actions, or have particular emotions. A significant example of this is seen in the poetry of John Keats, who wrote his famous work, “On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer,” as a way to internalize his new relationship with the poem. Thus, exploring the idea of identity helps poets, and those who read their work, to further examine their own truths and self-discovery.
It is also important to recognize that when reading poetry, we can see the universal identity that is a part of humanity as a whole. By examining the inner workings of a poem, we learn how different people experience similar feelings and emotions. For example, a poem examining love will probably bring to mind images of people of all cultures, religions, and backgrounds understanding the same emotion. Thus, through exploring identity, we can recognize the common elements of human life and use literature to unite us all.
From the individual to collective perspective, exploring identity through poetry is an incredibly powerful tool. Our identities shape us, making us who we are and helping us remember our roots. Through examining this theme through literature, we can learn more about ourselves and our world, making poetry an indelible part of any life.
Symbolism in Poetry
One of the oldest, and arguably most beloved, techniques in poetry is symbolism. Symbolism brings meaning and depth to a poem, allowing it to encompass and reflect the many layers of reality and transcend beyond everyday life. In offering a world of hidden and nuanced meanings, symbolism imbues poetry with a unique ability to make readers pause, contemplate, and reflect.
Symbolism brings to light a world of emotions and reflections that may be difficult to express in words. It allows poets to speak about complicated topics without having to use particularly straightforward language. By using symbols, readers can access universal emotions, rather than only having to understand a single writer’s feelings or experiences.
Symbols can be anything, from words to phrases, to animals, to objects. This versatility allows writers to bring something new to the table each time they are used, allowing readers to make their own interpretations of the meanings in the poem. An example of the power of symbolism can be found in Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” In the poem, the speaker is analyzing the significance of his journey, and the road that he ultimately chose. The path becomes less about a choice of physical route and more about a decision of a lifestyle.
Poetic symbolism allows us to look beyond the surface, gaining insight into ourselves and the world. It encourages readers to pause and reflect, to consider what a poem’s symbols may tell us about reality or our place within it. Symbols can spark curiosity and wonder in readers, allowing them to connect to the world and even the universe around them.
The Power of Imagery in Poetry
When we read poetry, one of the most essential components in crafting a moving piece is the use of imagery. Imagery specifically is any kind of descriptive language that uses figurative language, or that evokes or produces a mental image. By utilising metaphors, similes and personification; poets can create works that are vivid, realistic and jarring all at the same time.
Some of the most famous and well-known poets have featured imagery repeatedly in their works. For example, put forward by Emily Dickinson in her poem, ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, she compares the feeling of hope to that of a bird. She says “…Though its song may be unheard/ It’s still a beautiful thing”, by ‘personifying’ hope and saying it sings, Dickinson is able to articulate the idea of hope being indestructible and eternal, and not just a feeling of happiness or optimism.
I think it’s important to note why imagery adds such a strong emotional weight to the pieces. A study conducted by the University of Houston in 2018, has suggested that figurative language can in fact stimulate feelings of empathy within readers. After compiling a list of literary works that employed poetry, the study concluded that imagery helped engage the readers and better formed an understanding for the message the poets were trying to get across.
In addition to its effect of empathy, imagery also has the potential to further capture memories. We can use symbols and metaphors to reminisce on events or moments in the past, which often bring back nostalgic feelings. These recollections can be seen throughout war poems, such as ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ by Wilfred Owen, one of the defining poets of the First World War. Owen words paint a heartrending image of what it was really like to be a soldier during this period, creating a well-defined picture for readers so they can reciprocate the feeling.
Figurative Language in Poetry
The use of figurative language within poetry is incredibly common and it’s easy to see why. When a poet utilises figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and idiomatic language within their work they’re able to create a much deeper meaning than the individual words have taken in isolation. In essence, figurative language allows us to explore complex emotions and experiences in greater depth.
Take for instance the work of Robert Frost. Through the use of metaphor, Frost is perfectly able to express his longing for the past and reflection on his own mortality. In his poem ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’, we witness Frost explore these themes as he seeks to capture a crucial moment in his life. Through vivid language and imagery he’s able to express his ideas in a unique and beautiful way, which readers often find captivating.
Over time, figurative language has been adopted by poets for many reasons. Most importantly, it presents a vividness that mere words alone cannot replicate. Whether a poet is exploring the trauma of war or reflecting on the beauty of nature, figurative language allows them to explore those topics in greater detail through the lens of emotion.
But there’s no denying that in some works, universal themes are explored on such a large scale that they’re able to touch every individual in a unique way. Most recently, this can be seen in the work of Amanda Gorman. Emerging as one of the defining poets of our time, her work often seeks to capture the beauty and fragility of our everyday lives. Through the effective use of figurative language, Gorman is able to explore these universal themes and touch hearts around the world.
The Role of Metaphor in Poetry
The role of metaphor in poetry is arguably integral, not just to the poem or its illustration but to literary history as a whole. This technique dates back as early as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, “the wine-dark sea,” in which the symbol of wine and its connection to the wider world provided a deeper interpretation of what was happening in the narrative.
Metaphors and other figurative language can create powerful imagery and suggest underlying emotions that cannot be put into words. For example, in William Carlos William’s poem “The Red Wheelbarrow”, the metaphor of the red wheelbarrow conveys the idea of a happy but temporary existence. The vivid imagery of a bright red wheelbarrow against a white background hints at the beauty of life and hints at its fragility, suggesting that happiness is fleeting.
Metaphors also add layers of meaning, allowing writers to explore a wide variety of themes from love and loss to despair and hope. In Sylvia Plath’s “Ariel”, for instance, the metaphor of the horse suggests freedom and a longing for escape, while the metaphorical description of the speaker’s “bell jar” reflects her emotional isolation and struggle with depression.
The role of metaphor in poetry, then, is one that cannot be overstated. Furthermore, this literary device offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of ideas, emotions and themes. With powerful imagery and unlimited potential, metaphor allows poets to make connections between their inner world and the realities of life.
