The Purpose of Poetry

Poets Jackie Kay and W.N. Herbert talk about the importance and function of poetry, and read some of their own work to demonstrate their thoughts.

Joined by Paul Muldoon, the poets take a look at methods of being inspired, the purpose of meaning in poetry and the importance of reading contemporary poetry.

In this track, authors talk about the way in which their own lives inform and inspire their poetry, and the way in which personal details can be changed or highlighted in order to produce dramatic poetry.

Rhyme is an intrinsic aspect of poetry, but is it wholly necessary? Paul Muldoon and Jackie Kay talk to about where – and where not – to use rhyme, and the intrinsic rhythm patterns in everyday speech.