The notion of poetry, the practices that surround it, and the fashion in which it is written, is often a deeply contested affair. The idea of what poetry is, is not only subjective and personal, but also shapes and is shaped by the messages inherent in the words in the stanza. Many have taken this form of writing, both as creative outlet and as medium for self-expression, generating a healthy debate over what is ‘true’ poetry, or whether it is possible for such an absolute understanding of poetry to exist. Here, we shall look at the different standpoints on this issue, and explore whether any of these can therefore be accepted as true.
The definition of poetry is hard to pin down. Poets, scholars and laypeople alike have argued that poetry is a form of beauty, art, communication, self-expression, and performance, among other definitions (Rhys and Mahoney, 2017). However, it could be easily argued that none of these are inherently true in the primordial sense of the word; beauty being subjective, art simply a method of projecting one’s ideas, and so on. Our rich history of literature and poetry is evidence enough of the wide-reaching definitions of poetry, showing that the only definite set of features that appear in poetry, no matter how much the definition changes, are rhythm, rhyme, and the traditional arrangements of lines. Ultimately, this proves that poetry is modifiable and adaptable to the author’s vision, and hard to definitively label.
Essentialist theories of poetry, which claim that poetry must contain certain elements to be considered poetry, do have a valid point; poetry does, after all, have a form, and as with any artistry, is judged on adherence to a standard. It cannot be denied that one must pay attention to the form of poetry to appreciate it fully. However, it seems overly constrictive to use essentialism to differentiate true poetry from its imitators, as beauty and expressiveness usually depend on the creative minds of poets. The role of the poet is making sure the poem’s ‘story’ is told, not the other way around.
Style and Form
One’s opinion on this debate can ultimately be summarised as either poetics, which holds that every poem must conform to certain standardised forms, or poetics, which holds that form is merely a means of asserting one’s emotions. Ultimately, aesthetic philosophies have proven that true poetry is heavily subjective, and different people evaluate writing in different ways (Jones, 2018). More traditional schools of thought tend to place the emphasis on the form of poetry, its structure and its adherence to the conditions of craft versus creativity. This suggests that if one is to be a traditionalist, then poetry must conform to rules; if one is to be more modern, then the logic is that poetry should break away from conventions and explore different forms.
For example, modern interpretations on poetry often explore the notion of non-traditional forms, in which the author decides to write in any form they want, without any restrictions, even if this means re-working traditional inherited rules. By bringing new rules for poetry, poets then employ loose formalities, making their work easier to read and understand. It is in this form of expression where the author’s emotion and creativity are on the forefront.This implies that when a poet is writing, he or she is not just trying to follow a certain set of rules, but mainly to preserve the creative nature and emotion of the poem, as well as to tell a story in whatever way matters to them most.
Relationships and Perspectives
Another argument that is often presented is that of relationships and perspective. Many consider that the relationship between the poet, the poem, and the audience are major factors in understanding poetry, and must be taken into account. Whereas some might argue that the relationship between these groups is a necessary aspect of poetry, others might disagree and suggest that the role of any audiences’ reactions is irrelevant to the poem itself, and how it is defined. This debate has been ongoing since the dawn of time, as the meaning of poetry is often dependent on the context and audience, rather than its literal interpretation (Gonzalez, 2015). Thus, it could be argued that, in some sense, a poem can only be truly defined by its author, although their opinion may be marred by bias, and only exist within the context of the poem’s audience.
It could also be contended that the relationship between the author, the poem, and the audience is an essential part of the equation. After all, the meaning of the poem is in part derived from the various perspectives of the readers or listeners, allowing them to interpret and appreciate the poem in different ways. Consequently, the answer as to whether a statement about poetry is accurate or not depends heavily on the individual, context and interpretation.
Opinions and Debate
There are, of course, a variety of opinions on the matter. Some more modern thinkers agree that there is no single definition of poetry that can ever be agreed upon, as poetry is an ever-changing and evolving form. This perspective agrees with essentialism as it claims that, no matter the context, form, or audience, poetry is widely understood to be a form of vibrant self-expression and creativity. On the other hand, some argue that poetry should be defined by maximum rules and standards, so that it can maintain a universal understanding.
Ultimately, much of the disagreement on the matter stems from the various interpretations of poetry. People have different preferences when it comes to the form, the message, and the emotional impact of the work. Because of this, it would be impossible to make any clear-cut statement about poetry that could be agreed upon by a majority. It appears that no statement about what poetry is can ever be regarded as truly accurate.
Culture and Language
The role of language and its cultural connotations cannot be ignored. Not all poetry is written in the same language, and even within the same language, different regions and cultures have distinct forms of expression and writing. Moreover, poetic forms change over time, so much so that the same poem in a different language, or even the same language, may not be regarded as a poem by different cultures. This has been the case for millennia, with ancient poetry being regarded differently in different ages. Hence, it could be argued that the concept of poetry flexible and dependent on the cultural context in which it is written.
Similarly, authors of various poetic works are influenced by the culture around them, which in turn shape the meanings that their works will convey. This is particularly true with language, as the same word may mean different things to different cultures. Thus, any statement on poetry must take cultural and language differences into account. It appears that the answer to the question of what poetry is can only be accurately answered in the wider context of the author’s culture and the language in which it is written.
Creativity and Self-Expression
Most agree that the basis of poetry lies in creativity and self-expression, even though these concepts can take on many forms. Ultimately, these are two essential elements that make up any poetic work, and even apply to works that are believed to bypass conventional rules and forms. Thus, it could be argued that the main purpose of poetry is to capture the creativity and self-expression of the author, and not necessarily to adhere to one form or style.
In addition, creative and expressive writing may take different forms and have different meanings depending on the culture, language and context in which it is written. Thus, it is difficult to make any absolute statement about what poetry is, and what it is not, as the definition will be different in the eyes of the reader. Therefore, it appears that, when it comes to poetry, the best answer one can give is that it is an ever-evolving advancement of self-expression and creativity.
Conventions and Movement
Finally, it is also important to consider the evolution of poetry throughout human history. Poetry has undergone deep changes and has been influenced by different conventions and beliefs in each era. Thus, the notion of what poetry is, and the nature of its expression, has changed extensively in all the ages. In fact, conventions, fashions and modes associated with it have shifted and moved throughout time, bringing about different styles and forms for what is thought to be true poetry.
Therefore, when it comes to the question of what constitutes ‘true poetry’, it seems that an objective answer cannot be found, as the answer has changed, and is constantly changing, over the course of the ages. Rather than seeking out the one statement which could be deemed entirely true, it is instead important to remember that poetry is rooted in creativity, expression, and the opinions held by individuals, systems, and cultures around the world.
