Overview
Poetry and drama are among the oldest forms of human expression. Poetry distills emotion and insight into rhythm and language, while drama uses performance and dialogue to explore conflict, society, and human nature. Both forms remain central to the study of the humanities.
Poetry Highlights
- Lyric Poetry: Short, expressive verse exploring personal emotion (e.g., Sappho, Keats).
- Epic Poetry: Long narrative works featuring heroic deeds (e.g., The Iliad, Paradise Lost).
- Sonnet: A 14-line poem often about love, popularized by Petrarch and Shakespeare.
- Free Verse: Poetry without fixed meter or rhyme, prominent in modern and contemporary work.
Drama Highlights
- Greek Tragedy: Classical plays exploring fate and morality (e.g., Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex).
- Shakespearean Drama: English Renaissance plays blending history, comedy, and tragedy.
- Modern Drama: Realistic and psychological exploration of society (e.g., Ibsen, Miller, Beckett).
- Musical Theatre: A blend of drama, music, and dance (e.g., West Side Story).
Quick Tip
In poetry, focus on imagery, sound, and structure to uncover meaning. In drama, analyze character relationships, stage directions, and how the script would come alive in performance.