What is the Difference Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry

The main difference between poetry and hyperpoetry is the medium the poets use. Poets basically produce traditional poetry using a paper-based medium, while hyper poets produce hyperpoetry using the computer screen as their medium. When writing traditional poetry, a poet usually brings out his imagination on paper and his pen, but when it comes to hyperpoetry, poets publish them on the internet along with images or movements.

Further elaborating, unlike hyperpoetry, any movements cannot be added to traditional poetry as it is published or written on paper. However, the main function of poetry is to express powerful emotions and feelings, and both poetry and hyperpoetry equally perform this function. Moreover, both traditional poets and hyper poets use powerful words, imagery, and creative rhymes in producing their poetry.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Poetry 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Hyperpoetry
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Hyperpoetry, Poetry

Difference Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry - Comparison Summary

What is Poetry

Poetry involves a variety of literature produced by poets using the interplay of words and creative rhythms. Most kinds of poetry often include meter and rhyme. Simply put, in poetry, poets handle the language in such a way that they produce images, ideas, and sounds through words that otherwise can be somewhat difficult or abstract to communicate directly.

Poetry vs Hyperpoetry

Decades back, poetry was restricted by the rules of meter and rhyme of various poetic traditions which existed back then. For instance, the Augustans and the Elizabethan poets had their own rules, rhyme schemes, and meters, and they did not produce any poetry outside those lines. However, with the passage of time, poetry and poetic traditions have also evolved, and modern poets refuse these rigid rules and make poetry of their free will, which sometimes do not have any rhyme or a particular meter. Even without rhyme and meter, modern poets are still capable of creating beautiful poetry through their careful handling of words.

What is Hyperpoetry

Hyperpoetry is also known as cyberpoetry. Hyperpoetry refers to the genre of poetry that is always produced and presented with the computer. It involves lines of verse that appear with links to footnotes, poetry generators, sub-poems, or poetry with images or movement.

Compare Poetry and Hyperpoetry - What's the difference?

Hyperpoetry highly includes visuals. Sometimes we can read some sections of poems according to varying orders. Holopoetry is another sub-variant that comes under hyperpoetry where poets combine three-dimensional visual art with words through holographic techniques. Sometimes, poetry lovers compare hyperpoetry with poetic genres such as prose poetry, hip-hop, concrete poetry, and performance art due to the “hybrid” nature in the artistry.

Similarities Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry

  • Both poetry and hyperpoetry are two forms of literature.
  • They act as powerful mediums through which the poets express strong emotions and feelings.
  • Traditional poets and hyper poets are capable of handling the language, images, and sounds in such a way that the ideas or messages which can be otherwise somewhat difficult or abstract to be expressed directly are communicated skillfully by them
  • Both traditional poetry and hyperpoetry may or may not have meter, rhyme, and rhythm.

Difference Between Poetry and Hyperpoetry

Definition

Poetry is literature that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language. Hyper poetry is digital poetry that is available on a webpage and uses hyperlinks.

Medium

Traditional poetry is created using a paper-based medium, while hyper poets produce hyperpoetry using the computer as their medium.

Reader Imagination

Hyperpoetry involves lines of verse that appear with links to footnotes, poetry generators, sub-poems, or poetry with images or movement, while traditional poets handle their language in such a way that it evokes readers’ imagination, creating visual and other imagery in the readers’ mind.

Conclusion

Simply put, the main difference between poetry and hyperpoetry is their medium. Poets basically produce traditional poetry using paper, while hyper poets produce hyperpoetry using the computer as their medium. Compared to hyperpoetry, which involves images and movements, traditional poetry has the capacity to boost the readers’ imagination and power of critical thinking

Reference:

1. “Hyper-Poetry.” Small Authors, Big Dreams.
2. “Hyper Poems – Poems about Hyper.” PoetrySoup.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Can a man of hope(CC BY-NC 2.0) via The Naked Soul
2. “Photo of book, print, paper, file, page, brand, font, text, document, poetry” (CC0) via Pxhere

About the Author: Anuradha

Anuradha has a BA degree in English, French, and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Master's degree in Teaching English Literature in a Second Language Context. Her areas of interests include Arts and Literature, Language and Education, Nature and Animals, Cultures and Civilizations, Food, and Fashion.

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