Poetry, in many ways, defies definition. Any restrictions would disqualify some works that are, nevertheless, poetry. The only statement about poetry that we can make with absolute certainty is that good poetry uses what is known as "compressed language." That means that it says a lot but uses few words to do so. Every word is very valuable; the poets make their choices only after much deliberation, and we must understand each word to grasp the meanings of the poems. This word compression is the primary reason that most students claim not to understand poetry. Students who are accustomed to skimming over their lessons once and dashing off correct answers in record time will find that poetry asks much more of us than this. It invites us to calm down, sit still, and think. Speed and accuracy are invaluable in mathematical computation but useless in poetry appreciation. You must not be frustrated or feel like a failure when (not if) you find it necessary to read a poem several times. This repetitive activity is standard operating procedure for the study of any art. This guide takes a topical approach to the study of poetry, rather than a historical approach. It focuses on the elements of poetry and selected forms. As you study an element, you will consider specific poems that are particularly good examples of that element. However, almost all poems will contain most of the elements that you study. Therefore, after completing a portion of the guide on a particular element, such as sound devices, you should be able to identify and discuss that element in relation to the poems you study subsequently. Some poetry study guides approach the study of poetry from a historical perspective. They will begin with the early epic poems like Beowulf, The Iliad, and The Odyssey, then move forward through Shakespeare's time and those following him. To compensate for dropping this historical approach, we have provided a timeline on pages 12 and 13 for you to use in the course of your study. Every time you read a new poem, make a notation on the timeline. Include the poet's name, the approximate date of the poem (or use the middle of the poet's life), and the type of poem. The first poem we will consider, "Abou Ben Adhem," has been added as your example. Finally, poetry is primarily an auditory experience. From earliest history, poetry was transferred to subsequent generations through oral presentation. You, too, should read aloud the poems studied here. They will yield their meanings more readily that way, and you will enjoy them more. |