Poetry: Difference between revisions
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'''Poetry''' (from Greek: ποίησις, Latin: ''poeta'', creating) is a form of literary work which uses rhythm, metre, and sound elements (such as [[assonance]] or [[dissonance]]) to structure, amplify, and in some instance supplant the literal meanings of words. There is considerable evidence that poetry predates [[prose]], since the earliest poetic productions date from a long era of [[oral tradition]] that extends thousands of years prior to the invention of [[writing|written]] forms of language. | '''Poetry''' (from Greek: ποίησις, Latin: ''poeta'', creating) is a form of literary work which uses rhythm, metre, and sound elements (such as [[assonance]] or [[dissonance]]) to structure, amplify, and in some instance supplant the literal meanings of words. There is considerable evidence that poetry predates [[prose]], since the earliest poetic productions date from a long era of [[oral tradition]] that extends thousands of years prior to the invention of [[writing|written]] forms of language. | ||
==History== | |||
The earliest poetic productions of the ancient world, such as the [[Iliad]] of [[Homer]], the [[Mahabharata]], or the [[Volsuga Saga]] all had their origins in the period of pre-literate oral poetry, though they also owe their survival to having been eventually transcribed as written texts. Like many early poems, they are primarily narrative in form, and the longer narratives and sagas are considered [[epic poetry|epics]]. There are also some very early poems of the shorter or [[lyric poetry|lyric]] tradition, such as the [[Song of Solomon]] or the fragments of [[Sappho]]; these poems are more symbolic, more rooted in affective and metaphorical language, and possess both brevity and intensity. In the oral period, both epic and lyric poetry was recited aloud in public performance, usually with the accompaniment of some simple plucked instrument (lyric poetry takes its name from the [[lyre]]). | |||
[[Category: Literature Workgroup]] | [[Category: Literature Workgroup]] | ||
[[Category: CZ Live]] | [[Category: CZ Live]] | ||
Revision as of 08:11, 22 April 2007
Poetry (from Greek: ποίησις, Latin: poeta, creating) is a form of literary work which uses rhythm, metre, and sound elements (such as assonance or dissonance) to structure, amplify, and in some instance supplant the literal meanings of words. There is considerable evidence that poetry predates prose, since the earliest poetic productions date from a long era of oral tradition that extends thousands of years prior to the invention of written forms of language.
History
The earliest poetic productions of the ancient world, such as the Iliad of Homer, the Mahabharata, or the Volsuga Saga all had their origins in the period of pre-literate oral poetry, though they also owe their survival to having been eventually transcribed as written texts. Like many early poems, they are primarily narrative in form, and the longer narratives and sagas are considered epics. There are also some very early poems of the shorter or lyric tradition, such as the Song of Solomon or the fragments of Sappho; these poems are more symbolic, more rooted in affective and metaphorical language, and possess both brevity and intensity. In the oral period, both epic and lyric poetry was recited aloud in public performance, usually with the accompaniment of some simple plucked instrument (lyric poetry takes its name from the lyre).