What is poetry? pot

Nobody has yet been able to produce satisfactory definition of poetry.. Mathew Arnold said, “Poetry is a criticism of life”; but the word “criticism” itself needs defining.. Another defi

What is poetry? Discuss

This is a puzzling question Nobody has yet been able to

produce satisfactory definition of poetry Many of us know

when we hear it, but we cannot exactly explain what it is

Let us consider some of these definitions by the

well-known poets

Mathew Arnold said, “Poetry is a criticism of life”; but the

word “criticism” itself needs defining Even if we use the

word “interpretation” instead, it does not help as much; for

a novel or any other work of art may be a criticism or

interpretation of life

Another definition by Shelley emphasizes a great beauty

and truth “Poetry is the perfect and consummate surface

and bloom of all things It is as the odor and the color of

the rose to the texture of the elements which compose it,

as the form and splendor of unfaded beauty to the secret

of anatomy and corruption”; but it is not sufficiently

exclusive, because the same definition may be given of

the other great arts: painting, music, architecture, etc

Wordsworth says, “Poetry is the breath and finer spirit of

all knowledge, it is the impassioned expression which is in

the countenance of all sciences”; which as Mathew Arnold

remarks, it is “finely and truly said”, but does it amount to a

definition?

And this long definition by Edgar Poe may be given to

think over: “We shall reach, however, more immediately a

distinct conception of what true Poetry is, by mere

reference to a few of the simple elements which induce in

the Poet himself the true poetical effect He recognizes the

ambrosia which nourishes his soul in the bright orbs that

shine in Heaven – in the volutes of flowers in the clusters

of low shrubberies – in the waves of the grain-fields – in

the standing of tall Eastern trees – in the blue distance of

mountains – in the grouping of clouds – in the twinkling of

half hidden brooks – in the gleaming of silver rivers – in

the repose of sequestered lakes – in the stars-mirroring

depths of lonely wells He perceives it in the song of birds

– in the sighing of the night-wind – in the repining voice of

the forest – in the surf that complains to the shore – in the

fresh breath of the woods – in the scent of the violet – in

the voluptuous perfume of the hyacinth – in the suggestive

odor that comes to him at eventide from far-distant,

undiscovered islands, over dim oceans, illimitable and

unexplored He owns it in all noble thoughts – in all

unworldly motives – in all holy impulses – in all chivalrous,

generous and self-sacrificing deeds He feels it in the

beauty of woman – in the grace of her step – in the luster

of her eye – in the melody of her voice – in her soft

laughter – in her sigh”

All these definitions contain important truths about poetry,

but do they give a final and satisfying answer to the

question “What is poetry?” Yet we need not despair We

can enjoy and benefit by poetry without being able to

define it precisely; just as we can enjoy the scent of a rose

without a scientific definition of it

We must learn that, while most poetry is written in verse

form, there are passages of eloquent prose which are

really poetry – what are sometimes called prose-poems

And, still more commonly, there is much verse that is not

poetry at all Simply to write a piece in rhythmic meter and

rhyme does not necessarily make a poem And here we

come back to the impossibility of defining poetry It is a

thing that can be felt, but it cannot be described or

defined A true poem is the product of sincere and deep

feeling, and it touches the heart and appeals to the

emotions It is an expression in beautiful language of

some experience that appeals to the human heart A real

poem will make you feel what the poet who wrote it felt, so

that you will really experience what he experienced The

true poet has the power of using words so as to produce in

us a sort o