Definitions of Poetry

WHAT IS POETRY?

The author expresses his/her ideas and emotions through different forms of literature. There are various forms of literature like poetry, drama, novel, short story, essay, biography, autobiography, travelogues and so on. Among all these forms of literature, poetry is considered as the most ancient art. If we examine all the ancient literatures of all cultures, whether Indian culture, Greek culture, British culture, Roman culture, we find that the literature which was written was written in the poetic form only. Hence, poetry is the most ancient art among all forms of literature.

DEFINITIONS OF POETRY:

There are different definitions of poetry available to us. Different critics have tried to define poetry in different manners. All these different definitions suggest some of the common characteristics of poetry. When we examine the different definitions of poetry we may pick up salient characteristics from these definitions.

1. "Poetry is the thought & words in which emotion spontaneously embodies it. “  MILL

Mill talks about three terms. 1) Thought 2) Words 3) Emotions 

Hence, poetry according to Mill is the special use of words which carry some serious thoughts or philosophy. These words  also carry spontaneous emotions of the poet. 

2. "Poetry is an art of employing words in such a manner as to produce an illusion on the imagination, the art of doing by the means of words what the painter does by the means of colors". - MACAULAY

Here, Macaulay has tried to compare two different arts, Art of writing poetry and the art of painting. He says that what the painter does with the help of colors and brush the same thing is done by the poets with the help of words. Words are the tools of the poets as brush and colors are the tools of a painter. The painter produces an imaginative picture. When we see that painting, we too can imagine the same thing. In the same manner, when poets write poetry, he uses words in such a way that it creates an illusion on the minds of the reader, and thus reader too can imagine the same thing which poet imagined.

3. "Poetry is an art of imitation, a speaking picture, with this end to teach and delight.”  - PHILIP SIDNEY

Sidney says that the poet imitates life, nature, human society and this imitation must be a speaking picture. The words must be able to create sounds in poetry. So writing poetry is all about play of words.

4. "Poetry is a musical thought". - CARLYLE

Poetry according to Carlyle is the presentation of words in the musical manner. Poetry carries music in it. Music comes from rhyme, meter and stanza patterns. According to him, poetry is the expression of thought in a musical way.

5. "Poetry is the expression of Imagination". - P. B SHELLEY

According to Shelley, poetry expresses the imagination of the poet. Imagination is an important aspect of poetry. 

6. "Poetry is the rhythmic creation of beauty". - EDGAR ALLAN POE

Poe has given much emphasis on the elements of rhythm and beauty in poetry. Poetry must be rhythmic as well as beautiful. In fact, he talks about the use of meter and rhyme in poetry which make the poetry more appealing and beautiful. 

7. “Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, recollected in tranquility". - WORDSWORTH

According to Wordsworth, poetry is an overflow of strong emotions. These strong emotions come naturally or spontaneously, without any efforts. But at the time of this overflow of emotions, writing is not possible as it is a technical part. So when the poet is in peace of mind, in tranquility, he recollects those emotions and puts these emotions and thoughts down on a piece of paper. Hence, poetry is “emotions recollected in tranquility.”

CONCLUSION:

Having discussed all these definitions of poetry, we ma summarize b saying that poetry is an art which carries thoughts , emotions, imagination and this combination is presented or expressed by the poet in such a manner that there is a use of metrical composition. The use of rhymes, rhythm, and meter make poetry more appealing and pleasing. Poetry aims at pleasing or delighting the reader.

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