Background Information
Poetry is an art form that belongs to the heart and soul. It has the power to persuade, inform and to change our lives. Poetry can be seen as a vehicle that transports us between times and places, events and emotions. Researching and understanding poetry helps us to understand the history and context of its creation. It also helps us to gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the thoughts and feelings of those involved in the process of creation, which can help us to appreciate the beauty and meaning of the work.
Relevant Data
Researching and understanding poetry is an important part of connecting with the language of poetry and its cultural significance. It helps to form a link between the reader and the poet, providing insights into the context in which the work was created. By doing so it enables us to appreciate the beauty and nuances of the work.
Studying the history of poetry is also important, since the developments and changes in the form over time help us to understand the culture and language of different periods. Furthermore, understanding the different types of poetry, such as lyric and narrative, enables us to appreciate the diverse range of poetic forms that have been created throughout time.
Perspectives from Experts
The importance of researching poetry is seen by some experts in the field as essential. Writing in the Harvard Review of Poetry, Dr. Shari Hanley explains that “researching and understanding the development of poetry is important for exploring the range of meanings that the poet intended for the work.” She further states that “examining the research will help unlock the meanings and ideas that the poet was expressing.”
Other experts take a slightly different view, and argue that researching poetry does not always yield the same results, and that understanding the work without research can be just as rewarding. Writing in the journal Poetry Explorations, Professor John Miller asserts that “too much research can obscure our appreciation of the poem, and prevent us from connecting with the emotion of the writing.”
Analysis and Insights
It is clear that researching and understanding poetry can be beneficial, in a number of ways, to the reader and to the poet alike. By looking at the research and exploring the source material, the reader can gain a deeper understanding of the poet’s intentions and gain a greater appreciation of the work.
At the same time, research can also limit our interpretation of the poem by allowing us to just take the ‘common path’ and ending up with a less-than-original analysis of the poem. Whichever way we look at it, it is important to always remember that research should be done with an open mind, and should not be allowed to take away from our personal experience of the work.
Critical Appreciation
The process of researching and understanding poetry is important for gaining a critical appreciation of the work. By knowing the background of the work, the context in which it was written, and the influences behind it, we can gain an insight into the poet’s choices. We can appreciate and understand the poet’s use of language, imagery and structure, to convey meaning and emotion.
At the same time, it is important to remember that research should not be the only way to appreciate a poem. Connecting with the poem on an emotional level, without extensive prior knowledge, is also extremely important and can help us to appreciate the work in a truly unique way.
Establishing Context
In order to properly appreciate a poem, it is important to establish the context in which it was written. By researching into the background, ideas and influences behind a poem, we can understand the literary, social and historical factors that shaped the work.
For example, researching into Shakespeare’s works can help us to understand some of the key events and trends of the Elizabethan era. This can help us to gain a deeper understanding of the playwright’s work as well as gain a greater appreciation of the themes and techniques that he uses.
Considering Different Perspectives
When researching poetry, it is also important to consider different perspectives. This can help us to realise that different people can have a wide range of interpretations and meanings to a poem.
For example, researching into the interpretations of ‘The Waste Land’ by T.S. Eliot can provide us with an insight into both traditional and modern readings of the poem. This allows us to gain a greater understanding of the meanings and implications of the work.
Exploring Language and Form
Exploring language and form can also be an important part of researching and understanding poetry. The use of language and form can often be significant in the interpretation of a poem. By looking at how the poet has used different words and devices to construct the poem, we can gain a better understanding of the message that the poem is conveying.
For example, researching into the works of Emily Dickinson can help us to gain an appreciation of her use of poetic devices such as assonance, metaphors and similes. This can provide us with a greater insight into her works and into the themes and meanings that she was trying to convey.
Using Poetry to Explore Society
The study of poetry can also be used to explore the social and political context of a particular era. By researching into the work of influential poets, such as William Blake and Audre Lorde, it is possible to gain an understanding of the themes and messages of a particular period.
Researching into the works of such poets can provide us with an insight into the environment of their times, and can also help us to gain an understanding of the issues that were being raised. This can help us to connect with the past and gain a greater appreciation of how poetry can be used as a tool for protest and to raise awareness of pertinent issues.
Using Poetry to Understand Emotions
Studying poetry can be a useful tool for exploring and understanding emotions. Poetry can provide us with a reflection of our own feelings and experiences, and can help us to understand and connect with our emotions.
When researching and understanding poetry, it can be helpful to consider the intentions and messages of the poet. This can help us to gain a greater insight into the emotions and meanings of the poem, and can help us to connect with and interpret the work in a more personal and meaningful way.
Utilising Source Material
Using source material, such as critical commentaries, can be useful when researching and understanding poetry. Critical commentary can provide us with an insight into the thoughts and opinions of those who have studied the poem before us.
By looking at the works of experts in the field, such as poets and scholars, we can gain a greater understanding of the poets’ intentions when creating the work. This can help us to gain a deeper appreciation of the poem as well as gain a better understanding of the poem’s meaning and significance.
