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Explained
A poem is a composition that uses words to evoke emotions in an imaginative way. Although
poetry is a form of self-expression that knows no bounds, it can be safely divided into three
main genres: lyric poetry, narrative poetry and dramatic poetry. Keep reading to see examples
of poetry genres in each of these genres.
Lyric Poetry Examples
Lyric poetry uses song-like and emotional words to describe a moment, an object, a feeling,
or a person. Lyric poems do not necessarily tell a story but focus on the poet’s personal
attitudes and state of mind. They use sensory language to set the scene and inspire emotions in
the reader.
There are several types of poetry that one could classify as lyric poetry. They include:
When you read a lyric poem, you are transported to a different time or place. Writing lyric
poems is an effective way to illustrate your perspective and share a special moment with
others.
Here's an example of lyric poetry by English Romantic poet John Keats. This excerpt is taken
from "Ode on a Grecian Urn." Notice it doesn't tell a story, per se. Rather, it focuses on the
speaker’s thoughts of death and morality as he studies an urn.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous poem "How Do I Love Thee" is another example of a
lyric poem. She focuses on the theme of love and uses figurative language to express its
immeasurability.
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
If the story changes over the course of the poem, it’s a narrative poem. The rhyme scheme and
meter may change between narrative poems, but all narrative poems tell a story from the
perspective of a third-person narrator.
The Odyssey
Homer’s The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most famous epic poems. The epic is an
example of poetry that tells a story through poetic language. It tells the story of heroic (but
cursed) Odysseus and his crew as they battle monsters, outwit witches and make their way
home to his waiting wife.
"SPEAK, MEMORY—
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic tale, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” tells the story of American
Revolution hero Paul Revere and his historic ride. It captures the tension of the night and the
thrill of the early Revolution.
While narrative poetry is told by a narrator, dramatic poetry is written from the perspective of
a character in the story. Narrative poetry tends to set the scene and describe what's happening,
whereas dramatic poetry tends to lead with a main character entering the scene and speaking.
My Last Duchess
Here is an excerpt from the opening of Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess." It’s often used
as an example of dramatic monologue because it’s told from a character’s point of view.
Following is an excerpt from a dramatic poem titled "The Dream Called Life" by Pedro
Calderon de la Barca. The scene is immediately set with one word - dream. After that, we
enter into a swirl of emotion as the writer tells us a story.
Kit Kittelstad