What is verse reading?

Verse reading is a literary technique commonly found in epic poetry, characterized by a distinct style of speaking, where each line or pair of lines (i.e., "verse") has an inherent rhythm and pattern. It employs poetic elements like meter, alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, and imagery to elevate the language and create a compelling narrative. This traditional form enhances the poetic text, adding musicality and emotional impact to the poetic storytelling. Examples of verse reading can be seen in historical epics like Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," Virgil's "Aeneid," John Milton's "Paradise Lost," and Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King." When performed aloud, it heightens the auditory pleasure in experiencing the richness of the poetic composition. Each verse conveys a complete or incomplete idea within the framework of the meter employed, contributing to the poem's structure and aesthetics.