The Evolution of Poetry: From Ancient Epics to Instagram Poems.

Poetry has been an artistic medium throughout human history, changing and growing with each new century. Poetry has evolved to follow the growth of human expression and communication, from the epic narratives of ancient civilizations to the brief lines of contemporary social media sites like Instagram.

Ancient Epics:

Poetry was used in the early days of civilization to preserve myths and cultural narratives. Oral traditions relayed tales of valour, love, and tragedy through epics like the "Epic of Gilgamesh" from Mesopotamia, the "Iliad" and "Odyssey" from ancient Greece, and the "Ramayana" and "Mahabharata" from ancient India. Bards and poets would frequently perform or sing these epics, enthralling audiences and transferring communal wisdom from one generation to the next.

Medieval Poetry:

Poetry was entwined with courtly love and religious fervour during the mediaeval era. Courtly romances and chansons de geste are lyrical compositions written by the troubadours of Provence and the troubairitz of Occitania that celebrate chivalry and courtly values. As this was going on, mystics from the Middle Ages like Rumi and Hafiz wrote ecstatic poetry exploring spirituality and divine love, inspiring readers with their deep understanding.

Romantic Poetry:

Poetry forms and subjects had a renaissance during the Renaissance due to a renewed interest in classical literature. Poets such as John Donne, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare delved into the intricacies of human emotion and experience, filling their compositions with a richness of metaphor and inventive language. With poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Lord Byron embracing nature, individualism, and the sublime in their lyrics, the Romantic age further revolutionised poetry.

Modern Poetry:

In poetry, the turn of the 20th century saw a surge of experimentation and avant-garde movements. Poets broke through social conventions and experimented with new forms of expression, as shown in the imagist poetry of Ezra Pound and Amy Lowell and the confessional poetry of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Pushing the limits of language and meaning, the Beat Generation, the Surrealists, and poets of the Harlem Renaissance all questioned social norms.

                           Sylvia Plath

Social media sites like Instagram have made poetry writing and consumption more accessible in the digital era. Short-form poetry, which frequently include arresting images, flourish in the hectic world of social media and condense periods of reflection and feeling into manageable chunks. Poets with millions of followers on Instagram, such as Rupi Kaur, Lang Leav, and Atticus, have become well-known due to their readable yet powerful poetry.

From the brief and powerful poems of the digital age to the grand sagas of ancient civilizations, the evolution of poetry mirrors the ever-evolving weave of human experience. Poetry is a powerful way to express the indescribable and connect souls across time and space, even though its forms and media may have changed over time. Poetry will surely find new outlets for creativity and expression as we embrace new technologies and communication channels, enhancing our lives with its timeless beauty.

Thanks,

Ashish Raja.