詩人は「世界の非公認の立法者」であり、詩は『真理』（パーシー・ビッシュ・シェリー『A Defense of Poetry（詩の擁護）』1840年より）といわれるように、poetryほど多くの観念的な意味を持つ英単語はほかにないかもしれません。詩に普遍性、あるいは用途や責任といったものはあるのでしょうか。詩とは何かという疑問に答えるのは容易ではありません。古代ギリシアから今日まで「詩」と呼ばれてきた、文学のさまざまな形態を紹介し、詩の定義について考え、またその価値を問う今日の議論を考察します。
　　

• Discusses what poetry is, and what it is for, with examples from both contemporary and ancient poets
• Examines the contemporary debates surrounding the value and universality of poetry.
• From distinguished modern poet and literary critic, Bernard O'Donoghue.

        
Poetry, arguably, has a greater range of conceptual meaning than perhaps any other term in English. At the most basic level everyone can recognise it—it is a kind of literature that uses special linguistic devices of organization and expression for aesthetic effect. However, far grander claims have been made for poetry than this—such as Shelley's that the poets 'are the unacknowledged legislators of the world', and that poetry is 'a higher truth'. 
    
In this Very Short Introduction, Bernard O'Donoghue provides a fascinating look at the many different forms of writing which have been called 'poetry'—from the Greeks to the present day. As well as questioning what poetry is, he asks what poetry is for, and considers contemporary debates on its value. Is there a universality to poetry? And does it have a duty of public utility and responsibility?