The Forms Of Poetry As A Form Of Imitation

Introduction

Poets are seen as makers. Thus, the poetic process, or the process of poetry construction is comparable with masonry. There are objects used by the mason in construction and these include cement, blocks, stones and other implements used in the actual construction. The poet on the other hand uses words carefully selected from the repertoire of a language. The mason withstands storms, sun shine and rainfall in the process of erecting an edifice. The poet on the other hand suffers ‘tranquil’ isolation as he “recaptures” the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth qtd in Ihiegbunam 141).

Poetry is one of the oldest genres of literature. In the days of Aristotle, literature itself was seen as poetry. Drama was also referred to as poetry by Aristotle in his Poetics. Poetry, itself however, is seen as a “mode of imitation” (Poetics 4). Imitation, thus, appears in the form of “epic poetry and tragedy, comedy also and dithyrambic poetry, and the music of the flute and the lyre” (4). The difference between these kinds of modes of imitation lies in “the medium, the objects, the manners or mode of imitation.” (1).

The epic poetry has a long history. Its strength lies in its representation of the high and might in the society and its language of imitation is high, lofty and elegant. Akparobaro F.B.O, in Introduction to Poetry observes that “the epic is a long poem, which tells the story of a hero whose exploit have a national significance” (107). The epic, however, does not reduce itself to the representation of men of lower provenance. Its language is lofty as well as its thematic thrust. Albeit, it is historical, or deals with mythical or legendary figures; the limitation of the epical representation lies in i...

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