According to Poe, what are the three most important elements of poetry

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2003

Answers

In Poe's review of Longfellow's "Ballads and Other Poems" for Graham's Magazine (April, 1842), you can discover his celebrated definition of Poetry as "... Rhythmical Creation of Beauty", perhaps the three elements/words you are alluding to. This so condensed summary Poe remarkably commented on in the same article, each concept being explained, one by one; you will find and read it on line at www.eapoe.org, amid Poe's "Works" (Criticism). Poe used again the same formulation in his later (and better known) lecture on "The Poetic Principle" (1848-49), available also at the same site. Probably a nice start for your research. Good luck. Yours sincerely, Raven's Shade (Belgium).

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2003