Poetry Analysis

What is Poetry? One may try and seek a definition for poetry, but there is no correct answer. In fact, each person will have his own version for the definition of poetry. But that is the beauty of poetry, the same poem will have a unique meaning for each individual that reads it. The most fitting description for poetry comes from the character Pablo Neruda in Michael Radford’s 1994 film Il Postino: The Postman, “When you explain poetry it becomes banal. Better than any explanation is the experience of feelings that poetry can reveal to a nature open enough to understand it.” Poetry is so crucial to have in the world because of the functions poetry serves as, the special qualities poetry has, and life without poetry would simply be boring. Poetry can function as an epiphany, awakening, for someone or to express one’s feelings. After reading a strong piece of poetry one can feel a sudden growth in confidence to change something about their life or community. In Il Postino, the character Mario Ruoppolo has an epiphany after researching poetry with the poet Pablo Neruda. Mario found the confidence to stand up to the politician who was exploiting the people of the island. Mario also became a political activist for the communist party. Poetry also helped Mario express his love for poetry. After reading a lot of poetry, Mario found confidence within himself to make changes. The epiphany poetry gave him made Mario realize he had the ability to make a difference within himself and the community. Poetry cannot just act as a catalyst for an awakening but also as a channel to express inner feelings. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” expresses her love for her husband Robert Browning. Browning uses similes throughout the poem to express her love, “I love thee freely, as men strive for Right/ I love thee purely, as they turn to Praise.” Browning used poetry to express her forbidden love to her husband, whom she eloped with. Poetry