Literary Genres: Definition, Types, and Characteristics
Literary Genres: An Overview
The literary genre is a system that allows the classification of literary works according to semantic, syntactic, phonic, discursive, formal, contextual, situational, and related criteria. Throughout history, there have been several classifications of literary genres. Therefore, a definitive categorization of all historical works under a common approach is not possible.
Realistic Genre
The realistic genre, in general, is characterized by the use of language to present facts in a realistic way, employing dialogue and an appellate function. This genre has several internal elements, including the act, scene, and table, which are:
- Act: The most important subdivision of the play, marked by the closure or fall of the curtain.
- Scene: An internal division of the act, where the same characters interact. It ends with the entrance or exit of a character.
- Table: The physical setting of the stage (what is to be shown).
Lyric Genre
The lyric genre is called such because in ancient Greece these works were sung and accompanied by a lyre. Its usual form is verse and is often first-person. The past, present, and future merge. It communicates the most intimate human experiences, the subjective, moods, and states of love.
In its broader concept, it also includes the ode, song, ballad, elegy, sonnet, and even plays intended to be sung, such as lyric operas and dramas. In ordinary language, however, it almost exclusively refers to an ode, which takes names such as dithyramb, anthem, cantata, canticle, etc. The lyric has no set meter or pace, but the poet uses those that seem most appropriate to express their feelings.
Narrative Genre
The narrative genre is characterized by the telling of real or fictitious stories (events or happenings) that make up a story outside the author’s feelings.
Although imaginary, literary history takes its models from the real world. This relationship between imagination and experience, between fantasy and life, gives special value to reading in the spiritual formation of the person. The narrator is responsible for raising awareness of the imaginary world in the reader.
Didactic Genre
The didactic genre aims at teaching or disseminating ideas expressed in an artistic way, using developed language resources and philosophy.
Poetic Genre
Within the classification of literary genres is the poetic genre, which uses literature to embellish the subject. Moreover, it transmits feelings, emotions, and thoughts through different expressive resources. Some representatives of this genre are Jaime Sabines, Amado Nervo, José Emilio Pacheco, and Ramon Xirau.
Aristotle, in his book The Poetics, discusses three of the previous genres:
- Epic
- Lyric
- Dramatic
Epic Poetry
Epic poetry is a literary genre in which the author presents objectively legendary or fictitious facts developed in a certain space and time. The author uses narrative as the habitual expression, but description and dialogue may also occur. In some cases, the epic is not written but told orally by minstrels.
Lyric Poetry
The lyric genre is one in which the author wishes to express all their feelings and emotions about an entity or object of inspiration.
Dramatic Genre
Drama (from Greek ?????, to make or act) is the presentation of actions through their representation by actors. Often, “drama” includes only the tragic elements, especially when it has a “tragic ending,” but the term also encompasses comic works.
Each genre is characterized by a mode of expression and a style that suits its aesthetic purpose. Any of these genres can be expressed in verse or prose.
Epic Genre Breakdown
In this genre, events are real or imaginary struggles that have happened to the author or someone else. Its way of expression has always been verse. The most important are:
- Epic: Account of the deeds that occurred in ancient times. Its characters are gods and mythological beings. Among the most important epics are The Iliad and The Odyssey.
- Cantar de Gesta: Account of exploits performed by the knights of the Middle Ages. They are generally heroic legends sung by the people. Highlights include The Nibelungenlied and The Song of Mio Cid.
- Epics: Tells the exploits of a hero, most of whom is a conqueror, seeking to exalt and aggrandize a people.