Is poetry something you can train yourself to understand?

Question

I've read Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and all those famous dead guys for about four years now, but I still can't figure out what's so great about them. Should I even bother trying?

Might be useful to know I have always been a science/math person.

Answer 1

My mother wrote poetry; that I didn't understand when I was very young. Understanding didn't come till I was a mature adult. But I still find that some forms of poetry are simply annoying to me as they are more like a riddle to be worked out. I have to admit that I love poetry that presents a picture in the mind of the reader at once; one that does not 'need to be solved' before you can get the picture.
With some, however, as in Shakespeare, it's a matter of it being versed in the approach to English of long ago, and that does take some working out! To me; whether or not you WANT to work it out depends on whether it presents any kind of picture to begin with.

Answer 2

Yes, you can train yourself to understand. Though, like others have said here, it isn't something you can get by just being merely curious.
Myself, I've always loved poetry... writing and reading it. But it wasn't until my senior year in high school, AP English, that I began to understand it more. We would spend an entire period just going through one poem. Including 20 minutes to write an essay about it. The key is to look at the contrasts, the images that it presents to you, the relationships, not only between the images, but between the words as well. The best poems are usually the hardest to get the first time you read it through.
I have never been a science/math person... I abhor the subjects myself, but do see the usefulness of them, and applaud those who can get that. Its all greek to me, lol. But if you really want to learn how to read poetry, there numerous books out there on the subject. Shakespeare... I have two books that each have his complete works in them, one of which goes through all of the interesting points, raises questions, and gives great background information. Read what others have written about the poem(s), and think about it. There are a lot of resources on the net especially, and your library, in which you can find all sorts of essays on poetry.

Answer 3

Thank you so very much for being a "science/math person" who is interested in exploring the great poets.

It's too bad there aren't more of us "literature/poetry persons" who are just as interested in exploring science and math! Our culture would be a richer place if we cross-fertilized more (I speak metaphorically .... oh wait, you science guys hate that...).

Anyhow, I would suggest that you sit down with a person who loves a poem and ask that person to walk you through what they love about that particular poem.

At the very least, you will gain some understanding of what pleasure others derive from great poetry. And, if you play your cards right, you'll also get a date.

Thanks again for reaching out to the other side.

Answer 4

Your question contains three key words that tell me precisely why you do not understand the old dead guys.
A (1)science and (2) math person has a different understanding of the world than for instance, a historian or a romantic. Your fields of specialty limit you to the exacts....specific answers with no room for wandering tangents.
You are likely not able to (3) train yourself to understand this. You can, however, always work harder to free your mind from it's restraints of perfection and consider frivolous possibilities.

River

Answer 5

Really pay attention to the imagery and other poetic devices. The message they are making might not always be that original, but if you really look to HOW they deliver the message you might be able to enjoy poetry more.

Take for example, Shakespeare's sonnet 65's final line:
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.

Now, anyone can say that through writing my love will be eternal. But, the rhythm, meter as well as the interesting contrasting image (ink that shines bright) helps to create a unique way of delivering a message.

Answer 6

A hundred years from now people will look at Travolta movies and wonder "What the hell did they see in him?" - answer: marketing, promotion, jumping on Oprah's couches. Literary fame is obtained by similar means. If you don't like something you read, trust yourself. Go look for something else to read; something that you enjoy. Thankfully there is a great selection out there. There is absolutely no effort required to understand great art. The very definition of a good piece of literature is that it is enjoyed by all types of people.

Answer 7

It's like sex... You either get it or you don't.

A desire to enjoy something usually helps in the process more so than just a curiosity as to why other people enjoy it so much.

The only part of Math I enjoy is actually reading about the lives of Mathematicians. You won't catch this girl thinking in terms of anything Numerical! There is no concern great enough for what exactly it is about it that you enjoy, to ever make me try liking it.

Science I love, but Math... No Thanks!