The Classification of Poetry

 Welcome Readers,

THE CLASSIFICATION OF POETRY

William Henry Hudson

Introduction:

            In William Henry Hudson's "An Introduction to the Study of English Literature," the classification of poetry is an essential section that discusses the different types of poetry based on their forms, themes, and approaches. Hudson divides poetry into two principal categories and then further delves into each, providing examples of the specific forms that fall under these categories.

1. The Two Great Divisions of Poetry:

            Hudson classifies poetry into two broad categories: Subjective Poetry and Objective Poetry. These categories represent two major ways in which poets express themselves and communicate their ideas or emotions.

• Subjective Poetry focuses on the poet’s internal thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It is personal and reflective, expressing the poet’s own life and opinions.

• Objective Poetry is more detached from the poet’s personal feelings. It often focuses on the external world, telling stories or depicting events and actions outside of the poet’s own immediate experience. 

2. Subjective Poetry:

            Subjective Poetry is introspective and emotional, concentrating on the poet's own feelings, thoughts, and impressions. It invites readers into the poet's inner world, revealing personal reflections or meditations on various subjects, such as life, love, or death.

Its Simpler Forms

The simpler forms of subjective poetry include lyrical and reflective poems that express basic emotions or fleeting impressions. Examples of this would be love lyrics, which capture personal, intense emotions, or sonnets, which often explore inner conflicts, emotions, or philosophical ideas.

Meditative and Philosophical Poetry

Subjective poetry often takes on a meditative or philosophical tone. In such poetry, the poet reflects deeply on existential questions, nature, life, death, or spirituality. Philosophical poetry tends to be more abstract, offering readers insights into the poet’s musings on profound or universal subjects. This form of poetry is distinguished by its depth and thoughtful exploration of human experiences.

The Ode

An important type of subjective poetry is the Ode, which is characterized by its serious tone and exalted style. Traditionally, the ode is used to praise a person, event, or concept, and it often conveys deep personal emotions. The structure of an ode can vary, but it is typically formal and elaborate. Famous examples include Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale” and Shelley’s “Ode to the West Wind.”

The Elegy

The Elegy is another significant form of subjective poetry. It is a mournful, reflective poem often written in response to the death of a person. The elegy explores themes of loss, mortality, and grief. Unlike the ode, which is celebratory, the elegy is somber and melancholy. However, it often moves from despair to a more accepting or redemptive conclusion, as in Tennyson’s “In Memoriam.”

Other Kinds of Subjective Poetry

Apart from the ode and elegy, subjective poetry also includes a variety of forms, such as hymns, sonnets, and personal reflective poems. These forms focus on individual emotions, personal experience, and contemplation. The sonnet is particularly notable for its compact and disciplined structure, often used to explore deep personal feelings in a confined space, as seen in Shakespeare’s sonnets.

3. Objective Poetry:

            In contrast to subjective poetry, Objective Poetry focuses on the external world and events that exist beyond the poet’s immediate emotional or intellectual experience. It often involves storytelling, recounting events or depicting scenes in which the poet is less directly involved.

The Ballad

The Ballad is a popular form of objective poetry, often rooted in folk tradition. It typically tells a simple story, often of love, adventure, or tragedy, in a straightforward and rhythmic style. Ballads are usually narrative in structure and are designed to be sung or recited aloud, making them a key part of oral tradition. Famous examples include “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Coleridge.

The Epic

The Epic is a long, narrative poem that celebrates the heroic deeds of legendary figures or gods. Epics often deal with grand themes like warfare, adventure, or the struggle between good and evil. They are concerned with public, rather than personal, matters. Famous examples include Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” and Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” Epics are characterized by their formal structure, elevated style, and the scope of their themes.

The Metrical Romance

The Metrical Romance is a narrative poem that focuses on themes of chivalry, love, or adventure. It was especially popular during the medieval period and is closely associated with romantic tales of knights, courtly love, and heroic deeds. Unlike epics, metrical romances are often more personal and sentimental, focusing on individual characters' quests and emotional experiences. An example of this type is “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”

Other Kinds of Narrative Poetry

Objective poetry also includes other types of narrative poetry, such as idylls and pastoral poetry, which depict rural life and the beauty of nature. These forms of poetry idealize nature and country life, focusing on simplicity, peace, and the relationship between humans and their environment. Theocritus and Virgil are well-known for their pastoral works, which celebrate the rustic life.

  4. Dramatic Poetry:

          Dramatic Poetry stands as a unique form of poetry that bridges both objective and subjective elements. It consists of plays written in verse form, where characters express their thoughts and emotions through dialogue and monologues. This kind of poetry presents an external story through action and speech but also conveys deep, subjective emotional and psychological insights through the characters.

Famous examples of Dramatic Poetry include Shakespeare’s plays, where characters like Hamlet, Macbeth, and Othello articulate complex emotional and philosophical ideas in richly poetic language. Greek tragedies, such as Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex,” are also dramatic poems, dealing with profound themes of fate, human suffering, and morality.

Conclusion:

            Hudson’s classification of poetry into subjective and objective categories helps illuminate the diverse ways poets approach their craft. Subjective poetry delves into personal experiences and emotions, exploring the poet's inner world, while objective poetry focuses on storytelling, external events, and human actions. Through various forms such as the ode, elegy, ballad, epic, and dramatic verse, poets express both the individual and universal aspects of human existence, making poetry a rich and multifaceted art form. 

Reference: 

Hudson, William Henry. An introduction to the study of literature. Harrap, 1919.