Review article
The Art of Words: Edgar Allan Poe's Poetry
Saša Simović
; Faculty of Philology, University of Montenegro
Abstract
Although Edgar Allan Poe wanted to be remembered primarily as a poet, his output of poetry is rather modest compared to his criticism or fiction. He incessantly exploits certain themes and patterns, introduces the speakers who are always males and who are emotionally deeply disturbed, usually because of the loss of a young, beautiful woman. His protagonists are moving through imaginary regions of one’s mind, highly effective dreamscapes, often mirrored in the very setting, a technique masterfully developed in some of his best tales. Poe’s first collection of poetry Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827) shows a strong influence of British Romantics. Although possessing certain artistic value, it did not attract much attention with the exception of the key poem which was created in the tradition of Lord Byron’s poems. His “Fugitive Pieces” reflect both subjectivity and immaturity. However, in these poems Poe introduced certain themes and subjects that would be developed in his best and most distinguished poems. These prove to be the most distinctive features of his poetic oeuvre, namely, the death of the young, beautiful woman; a bereft and grief-stricken lover; deeply tormented and disturbed mind; as well as stepping into the world of the unknown, the fantastic and dreamscapes.
Keywords
E. A. Poe; death of a young beautiful woman; dreamscapes; the unknown
Hrčak ID:
260722
URI
Publication date:
22.7.2021.
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