Understanding Poetry

by Michael D.C. Drout

Wheaton College English professor Michael D.C. Drout submerses listeners in poetry's past, present, and future, addressing such poets as Milton, Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats, and explaining in simple terms what poetry is while following its development through the centuries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Poetry, Audiobook, Literary Criticism, Literature

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elentarri]

A set of 14 lectures that explores the history, definition, and practical appreciation of poetry. While I have acquired a better appreciation of the art of poetry, I'm not sure I've acquired any more liking for the art in general. Drout, as usual, is enthusiastic and fun to listen to.

[Amanda]

Drout explores English-language poetry in a series of lectures and teaches the listener how to appreciate, analyse and construct verse - starting with Old English alliteration and tracking poetry's history through to postmodernist masters and beyond. Drout is as always highly informative, full of interesting insight and most importantly for a teacher - highly entertaining. Perfect for anyone who is ambivalent towards poetry - especially after studying it at school - but wants to widen their literary horizons.

[Louise]

Okay, so this isn't really a book but rather a lecture on poetry, and a crappy one at that. The *professor* refers to Keats THREE times when discussing Ode to the West Wind which is actually written by Shelley. Dude, get your poets straight. If you're going to lecture on a poem you should at least know who wrote it.....

[Rob Squires]

A course about loving poetry and appreciating what it teaches about being human. As always, Professor Michael D.C. Drout delivers his material with passion, humor, and insight.

[Vicky]

There's nothing as inspiring as a teacher that loves their subject. Michel D.C Drout is clearly an expert on poetry, but more than anything, this series soars thanks to his enthusiasm for all forms of poetry. Starting with oral poetry, Drout deftly walks us through poetry and poetry forms, but also brings it to life, be is the galloping rhythm and kenning of the Anglo-Saxon poetry to the craft and emotion of the often-derided Romantics. He also reflects on how even he—an Anglo-Saxon expert—has over time learned to love genres that (thanks to mediocre teaching) he initially dismissed, such as the already mentioned Romantics or the Victorians. Recommended.

[Liz]

A top notch "read" on Audible. Professor Drout is excellent and provides a wonderful introduction to the history and evolution of poetry--practical, understandable and yet sophisticated. I will listen to his other courses.

[Breck Mcgough]

Drout's enthusiasm for the subject matter makes what is quite a mess of information rather enjoyable.

[Muhammad]

Modular and wooden company was no mistakes. Môhammed bin Abdullah. Ahlussunnah wal jama'ah.

[Byron]

I learned more about forms and techniques used in English poetry in the short time it took to complete this course than I did in the six years it took me to struggle through college. Meaningful examples brought meter and form, topics that used to seem lifeless, into vivid perspective. The concepts learned here can be immediately applied to analyzing language in daily life, not just in written poetry. Worth every minute of the time I invested.

[Tatjana]

It is a good introductory course into poetry, the one composed in the preMOOC era. Still good though.

[Dan]

I never really understood or liked poetry until I took this in.