THREE

CLASSIFICATIONS
OF POETRY
By: Ma. Lorraine Dee A. Faa
BSIE-ComEd 4B
 Narrative Poems tells us a story. (Series of Events)
A. Ballad
A. Very short story.
B. Folk product-regular people.
C. Simple plot and language.
D. Has dialogue.

Example:

Ballata 5
Guido Cavalcanti (1255-1300)
And my heart trembles for the grace she weareth,
While far in my soul’s deep the sighs astir
Speak thus: "Look well! For if thou look on her,
Then shalt thou see her virtue risen in heaven."
Narrative Poems tells us a story. (Series of Events)
B. Metrical Tale
1.) short story in verse
2.) more descriptions
3.) poet expresses attitudes and opinions

Example: "Evangeline," by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

THIS is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,

Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,

Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,

Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.

Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean

Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest.

Narrative Poems tells us a story. (Series of Events)

C. Epic
 extremely long. (Novel length story in verse.)
 about national heroes, kings, great warriors, etc.
 elevated tone, lofty style. Language is highly poetic.
Example:

Odyssey by Homer
“Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he
had sacked the famous town of Troy. Many cities did he visit, and many were
the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover
he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men
safely home; but do what he might he could not save his men, for they
perished through their own sheer folly in eating the cattle of the Sun-god
Hyperion; so the god prevented them from ever reaching home. Tell me, too,
about all these things, O daughter of Jove, from whatsoever source you may
know them.”
 Lyric Poems expresses an emotion. Does not tell a story.
Shares a moment – does not explain it.

A. Reflective Lyric: 99% of school poems fall in this

category!!!
• Emotional response through recall/ reflection
(past tense.)
• Usually calm
Example: Reality by D.I.A
You may mean more to me than myself, But I will never
sacrifice myself for you. Because No matter how long-living it
may seem Love, Like life, is fickle.
Lyric Poems expresses an emotion. Does not tell a story.
Shares a moment – does not explain it.

B. Elegy:
• Expresses grief at death.
• Usually dignified.
• Formal language and structure

Example:
Encore of the Sun by Karl Marszalowicz
When the greatest of stars comedians with dry, universal wit Find
warm reception for them on stage A hotbed for their performance
They can share their candor over and again The best ones never
fade, They revolve around us. (dedicated to Robin Williams)
Lyric Poems expresses an emotion. Does not tell a story.
Shares a moment – does not explain it.

C. Ode:
• Any sustained lyric poem of exalted theme.
• Often commemorating some important event.
• Dignified formal language / irregular structure

Example:
Forest Gump goes to Heaven by Darryl Ashton
FORREST GUMP was sent on his way to Heaven. Upon his arrival, St Peter met him
at the pearly gates. ‘I’m sorry,’ St Peter said. ‘But Heaven is suffering from an over
– load of goodly souls and we have been forced to put new arrivals through an
exam.’ ‘What does it consist of?’ said Forrest. ‘Three questions,’ said St Peter. ‘The
first is: which two days of the week start with the letter “T”? The second is: how
many seconds are there in a year? The third is: what was the name of the
swagman in Waltzing Matilda? Now go away and think about the questions.’
Lyric Poems expresses an emotion. Does not tell a story.
Shares a moment – does not explain it.

D. Sonnet
• is a poetic form which originated in Italy; Giacomo Da Lentini is
credited with its invention. The term sonnet is derived from the
Italian word sonetto (from Old Provençal sonet a little poem,
from son song, from Latin sonus a sound). By the thirteenth
century it signified a poem of fourteen lines that follows a
strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. Conventions
associated with the sonnet have evolved over its history.

Example: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Poetry also known as dramatic verse or verse
drama, is a written work that both tells a story and connects
the reader to an audience through emotions or behavior.

Dramatic Narrative: Tells a story by the person involved.

Example:
Neverland by Carrie Richards

On the southern side of the old cemetery there was a field on the
corner of Gilmore and 1st, thick with hidden gopher tunnels and
blackberry bushes where bare feet constructed cupped paths, trampled
deep in tall amber grass It wasn't far beyond a patched wire fence that
hemmed my Grandmother's russet old house.
Dramatic Poetry also known as dramatic verse or verse
drama, is a written work that both tells a story and connects
the reader to an audience through emotions or behavior.
• Dramatic Monologue: One speaking to others on stage. They listen,
character speaks.

Example:
My age and I by Demetrios Trifiatis

Till my last moment I know very well That you will never let me down
For your faces are innumerable, your lessons are Unending The
rewards you have offered me so far and Those to me you still intend
to offer, No matter how old I come to be, All of them are precious, all
blessed and All divine
Dramatic Poetry also known as dramatic verse or verse
drama, is a written work that both tells a story and connects
the reader to an audience through emotions or behavior.

Soliloquy: One character on stage speaking alone (to himself.)

Example:
A letter left by Shades of Bill
I looked upon the moon and swore you were the halo that encircled it.
A dream: no more than idle fantasy or half remembered songs we
whistle when distracted by the mundane rigors of the world.
Reference:

www.poetrysoups.com
www.allpoetry.com
www.wisegeek.org
www.yourdictionary.com
www.bartleby.com
www.olypen.com
www.goole.com