Choreography of the Poem

This book explores analogies and correspondences between dance and poetry, with an emphasis on how dance and dance choreography can shed light on poetry, poetic form and the teaching of poetry.

Chronologically, the book examines the Renaissance/Baroque period in Europe and moves through early modern to contemporary poetry and dance. Internationally, it explores Asian, African and American dance choreographies and poetry alongside European, as well as hybrid influences of the different traditions on each other. It argues that the poem on the page, and in spoken performance, inhabits space within frameworks of expectation.

Choreography of the Poem accesses interest from the perspectives of each of the modes of communication: physical movement in dance, and spoken and written communication in poetry. It reveals what dance choreography can bring to an understanding and appreciation of the making of poetry in schools, colleges and universities.