When most people think of poetry, they think of high school English classes and dusty old books with incomprehensible verse.
They imagine people reciting sonnets in stuffy accents and pretending to find beauty in lines about flowers.
However, contemporary poetry is so much more than that!
The target audience for poetry has changed dramatically in recent years, and the art form is now enjoyed by a broad range of people of all ages and walks of life.
In this article, we will explore who the target audience for poetry is today.
Understanding the Target Audience for Poetry
To best understand the target audience for poetry, we need to understand why people like poetry. What makes them turn to this art form in times of joy or sorrow?
For some, poetry is a way to express themselves. It can be therapeutic, helping them to process their emotions and sort through their thoughts.
Others find comfort in the words of poets, feeling less alone in the world when they read about similar experiences. And still, others simply enjoy the beauty of the language, savoring the sound of each word and the way they fit together.
By analyzing the need people have for poetry, we can split the target audience for poetry into different segments.
These segments are:
- People who use poetry to express themselves
- People who turn to poetry for comfort
- People who find beauty in poetry
- People who use poetry to learn a new language or culture
- Students of poetry
Let’s take a closer look at each of the audiences to understand why they like poetry so much.
1. People who use poetry to express themselves
Poetry can be a lovely vehicle for self-expression. For many people, it is the only way they can express themselves fully. They might not be able to put their feelings into words any other way.
Writing poems can help them to make sense of their emotions and work through tough life experiences. It can be a form of catharsis, helping them to release all the pent-up feelings inside.
And it can be a way to connect with others who have been through similar experiences. When people read the poems of someone who understands them, it can be incredibly moving.
2. People who turn to poetry for comfort
Poetry can provide solace for people who are going through tough times. It can be a form of escape, transport them to another world where they can forget their troubles for a while.
And it can be a source of comfort, helping them to feel less alone in the world. When people read poems about sadness, loss, or pain, they can feel understood and validated in their experiences.
3. People who find beauty in poetry
For some people, poetry is simply about enjoying the beauty of the language. They might not be interested in the meaning of the words, but rather the way they sound and fit together.
They savor each word, relish in the rhythm and rhyme, and find delight in discovering new ways to express themselves. These people might not be interested in reading poems, but rather in writing them.
4. People who use poetry to learn a new language or culture
Poetry can be a great way to learn about other cultures. By reading the works of poets from different parts of the world, people can get a taste of what life is like in those places.
And by reading poems in a foreign language, people can learn about the culture and history of that country. Poetry can be a window into another world, and many people find it fascinating.
5. Students of poetry
People who study poetry might not just be interested in writing or reading it, but also in understanding it. They would want to know the history of the art form and how it has evolved over time.
They might want to analyze the structure of poems or the use of figurative language. And they might want to write papers discussing the meaning of certain poems.
People who study poetry are often interested in literature as well, and many go on to become English professors or writers.
Conclusion
As you can see, the target audience for poetry includes many different types of people and each one enjoys the art form for different reasons.
Some people, poets, write poetry to express themselves. Some people read poetry for comfort, while others find beauty in the language itself.
Then there are those who use poetry to learn about other cultures or another language.
Students of poetry are interested in the poems themselves but also in the history and meaning of poems.
No matter what reason someone has for enjoying poetry, there is a poem out there for them.
