They often have unexpected twists. For example, in a story - telling funny poem, the hero might not do what you expect, like instead of slaying the dragon in a heroic way, he befriends it in a really silly way. This surprise makes it funny.
Well, they often have vivid characters. Just like in 'The Hunting of the Snark', the Snark itself is a very mysterious and funny character concept. And there are all these other odd characters on the hunt. Another characteristic is unexpected plot twists. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', you don't expect all the strange things that happen after the mariner shoots the albatross. Also, wordplay is common. In many such poems, the poets play with words to create humor. For example, using puns or creating new words that add to the comical effect of the story.
They usually contain unexpected twists and turns. For example, in 'The Raven', the repeated appearance of the raven and its single word response 'Nevermore' is quite unexpected and adds to the darkly humorous nature of the story. The element of surprise keeps the reader engaged and amused throughout the long poem.
One is 'The Owl and the Pussy - cat' by Edward Lear. It tells the story of an owl and a pussy - cat who go to sea in a beautiful pea - green boat. They take some honey and a lot of money wrapped up in a five - pound note. It's full of humorous and imaginative elements.
Another great one is 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It's a long narrative poem that has elements of the supernatural and is also quite humorous in parts. The mariner's tale of his misadventures at sea, from shooting the albatross to his various trials and tribulations, is both engaging and funny in a dark, ironic way. It's a classic that tells a story with a moral undertone as well.
One example is 'The Hunting of the Snark' by Lewis Carroll. It's a long and humorous poem filled with absurd characters and a strange adventure. The characters embark on a quest to find the Snark, and throughout the journey, all kinds of comical situations unfold.
Yes, they can. Many poems are essentially stories in a more condensed and artistic form. For example, epic poems like 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' are full of stories about heroes, their adventures, battles, and their journeys. These long - form poems unfold a series of events, complete with characters, settings, and plots. Even shorter poems can tell a story. A simple haiku might capture a moment in nature, which is a kind of mini - story about that instant, like seeing a frog jump into a pond on a summer day.
These poems may also rely on the power of suggestion. Instead of telling a story, they give hints and let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks. For example, a poem might describe a strange object and leave it up to the reader to decide what it means or what it might be related to, rather than spelling out a story.
Here is a funny Christmas poem. 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. But then Santa arrived with a big, noisy clatter, dropping presents and nearly breaking the platter. He tripped on a toy left right in his path, and his 'ho ho ho' turned into an 'oh my gosh!'.
No. Some poems are more about expressing emotions like love, sadness or anger without really telling a story. For example, many haikus focus on capturing a moment in nature and the feelings it evokes rather than narrating an event.