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A very short history of poetic tradition
Professor Derek Attridges discusses poetic tradition - exploring the history of poetry, and how poems both honour and innovate this tradition.
In this video, Professor Derek Attridge discusses the history of poetic tradition, and outlines how poetry engages, adapts, and subverts these different traditions.
Starting with the epic, one of the oldest known forms of poetry in literature, Attridge explores how this particular poetic tradition continues to live on in the poetry of Derek Walcott – you can find out more about Derek Walcott on the Poetry Foundation website.
Over to you
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What do you think about poetic tradition?
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What does it mean to use an ancient form in a contemporary world?
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What does tradition mean to you?
Let us know what you think about these questions in the comments below.
