Modern Poetry with a Classical Basis

Modern poetry with a classical basis is poetry that is written in a modern style, but that draws on the themes, forms, and techniques of classical poetry. This type of poetry can be challenging to write, but it can also be very rewarding.

Some of the most common features of modern poetry with a classical basis include:

  • Use of classical themes: Modern poets often draw on classical themes such as love, loss, war, and nature. These themes are universal and timeless, and they can be used to explore the human condition in a variety of ways.
  • Use of classical forms: Modern poets sometimes use classical forms such as the sonnet, the ode, and the elegy. These forms have a long and rich history, and they can provide a structure for poets to explore their ideas and emotions.
  • Use of classical techniques: Modern poets often use classical techniques such as metaphor, simile, and personification. These techniques can help poets to create vivid imagery and to communicate their ideas in a clear and concise way.

Some examples of modern poets who have written poetry with a classical basis include:

  • T.S. Eliot
  • Ezra Pound
  • W.H. Auden
  • Robert Lowell
  • Seamus Heaney
  • Derek Walcott
  • Carol Ann Duffy

These poets have all drawn on the themes, forms, and techniques of classical poetry to create their own unique and original work.

Here are some of the benefits of writing modern poetry with a classical basis:

  • It can help you to develop your craft. Writing in a classical form can help you to learn how to control your language and to create a sense of structure in your poetry.
  • It can help you to connect with a rich and diverse tradition. Classical poetry has been written for centuries, and it represents a vast and varied body of work. By drawing on this tradition, you can connect with poets from all over the world and from all different time periods.
  • It can help you to create poetry that is both timeless and universal. Classical themes and forms are timeless, and they can be used to explore the human condition in a way that resonates with readers from all different backgrounds.

If you are interested in writing modern poetry with a classical basis, I encourage you to read and study classical poetry. You should also try writing in classical forms and using classical techniques. With practice, you will be able to develop your own unique and original style of poetry that is rooted in the classical tradition.

Read More about Modern Poetry with a Classical Basis