Poetry is one of the oldest forms of literary art and conveys a thought, idea or feeling to tell a story intensively, often through lyrical or rhythmic styles. Modernist poetry was a fresh style of poetry that grew out of the traditional form of lyrical expression and forged ahead with strong imagery of individual creativity, culture and dynamic content. The movement also moved past the reliance on rhyme and chose to focus more on free verse. This genre insisted on detaching from the past and mixed elements of various periods to create something new. We trace this shift in mentality that led Modernist poetry to its current place of importance.

The course begins with a look at the context that launched Modernist poetry and how it defined the emerging genre. Do you like the idea of writing poetry without a formal rhyme structure or style? This course leads you through the exciting shift during which poets embraced blank verse and began rejecting tradition while drawing on elements like symbolism and imagery to influence the new poetic style. We provide an overview of the period and its defining characteristics before delving into individual works, particularly those of William Butler Yeats and T.S. Eliot. We map the exciting connections that make T.S. Eliot such an influential poet as you discover his poem ‘The Waste Land’ and analyze the intricate details that made the poem one of the most well-known works of the last century.

The course then moves on to the evocative verses of Wilfred Owens and Dylan Thomas while explaining the circumstances and influences that informed their work. We examine Owens’ ‘Strange Meeting’ closely to find its deeper meanings, a useful skill that you can transfer to other fields in the future. This introductory course helps you understand Modernist poetry in its context and suits anyone with an interest in poetry and its impact on the world. This course can also aid in developing your interpretation skills and ability to make connections. Beyond that, we take the time to appreciate the beauty of these famous poems and hope you choose to join us.