An Approach to Poetry

What is Poetry? What is the function of the poet? How does the poet decide to devote his life to writing? Aristotle studies that the poetic art emerges out of two natural gifts: the instinct of imitation and the instinct of harmony. And the pleasure felt in both learning and imitating is UNIVERSAL. However, devoting one’s life to poetry means confronting a solitary and difficult path. Rilke’s Letters to a young poet comments on the crucial decision the artist takes when opting for a poetical career. And Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” gives his view on the hard road chosen by the poet, and how that option makes all the difference.

Activity: Read Rilke’s “Letter One” and Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” and explain in one or two paragraphs how both authors see poetry (or the life of the poet). Send your activity to elenitacuervo@hotmail.com. (Due to Friday, 18th . Late activities will not be corrected.)