Portal:The arts/Featured article/September, 2008: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain.jpg|thumb|100px|right|The [[Chinese poetry|Chinese poem]] by [[Emperor Gaozong of Song|Emperor Gaozong]].]] |
[[Image:Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain.jpg|thumb|100px|right|The [[Chinese poetry|Chinese poem]] by [[Emperor Gaozong of Song|Emperor Gaozong]].]] |
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[[Image:gravestone poem arp.jpg|thumb|right|150x100px|[[Do not stand at my grave and weep|A poem]] on a gravestone in an English churchyard]] |
[[Image:gravestone poem arp.jpg|thumb|right|150x100px|[[Do not stand at my grave and weep|A poem]] on a gravestone in an English churchyard]] |
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'''Poetry''' is a form of [[literature|literary]] [[art]] in which [[language]] is used for its [[aesthetics|aesthetic]] and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible [[meaning (linguistics)|meaning]]. Poetry may be written independently, as discrete poems, or may occur in conjunction with other arts, as in [[poetic drama]], [[hymn]]s or [[lyrics]]. |
'''Poetry''' is a form of [[literature|literary]] [[art]] in which random crap and [[language]] is used for its [[aesthetics|aesthetic]] and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible [[meaning (linguistics)|meaning]]. Poetry may be written independently, as discrete poems, or may occur in conjunction with other arts, as in [[poetic drama]], [[hymn]]s or [[lyrics]]. |
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Poetry, and discussions of it, have a long [[history of poetry|history]]. Early attempts to define poetry, such as [[Aristotle]]'s ''[[Poetics (Aristotle)|Poetics]]'', focused on the uses of [[Speech communication|speech]] in [[rhetoric]], [[drama]], [[song]] and [[comedy]]. Later attempts concentrated on features such as repetition and [[rhyme]], and emphasised the aesthetics which distinguish poetry from [[prose]]. From the mid-20th century, poetry has sometimes been more loosely defined as a fundamental creative act using [[language]]. |
Poetry, and discussions of it, have a long [[history of poetry|history]]. Early attempts to define poetry, such as [[Aristotle]]'s ''[[Poetics (Aristotle)|Poetics]]'', focused on the uses of [[Speech communication|speech]] in [[rhetoric]], [[drama]], [[song]] and [[comedy]]. Later attempts concentrated on features such as repetition and [[rhyme]], and emphasised the aesthetics which distinguish poetry from [[prose]]. From the mid-20th century, poetry has sometimes been more loosely defined as a fundamental creative act using [[language]]. |
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Revision as of 17:45, 27 September 2008
Poetry is a form of literary art in which random crap and language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible meaning. Poetry may be written independently, as discrete poems, or may occur in conjunction with other arts, as in poetic drama, hymns or lyrics.
Poetry, and discussions of it, have a long history. Early attempts to define poetry, such as Aristotle's Poetics, focused on the uses of speech in rhetoric, drama, song and comedy. Later attempts concentrated on features such as repetition and rhyme, and emphasised the aesthetics which distinguish poetry from prose. From the mid-20th century, poetry has sometimes been more loosely defined as a fundamental creative act using language.
Poetry often uses particular forms and conventions to expand the literal meaning of the words, or to evoke emotional or sensual responses. Devices such as assonance, alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhythm are sometimes used to achieve musical or incantatory effects. Poetry's use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony and other stylistic elements of poetic diction often leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations. Similarly, metaphor and simile create a resonance between otherwise disparate images—a layering of meanings, forming connections previously not perceived. Kindred forms of resonance may exist, between individual verses, in their patterns of rhyme or rhythm.