In lyric poetry what kind of speaker expresses thoughts and emotions?

In lyric poetry, the speaker is often referred to as the persona. This is a constructed voice created by the poet to express thoughts and emotions, not necessarily the poet's own.

Here's what you need to know about the speaker in lyric poetry:

* Not always the poet: The persona can be a fictional character, an animal, an object, or even an abstract concept. It doesn't have to be the poet directly.

* Expresses emotions and feelings: The speaker's primary role is to explore and convey emotions, whether joy, sadness, anger, love, or any other human experience.

* Subjective perspective: The speaker's perspective is often subjective and personal, offering a unique viewpoint on the world or a specific situation.

* Can shift and evolve: In a single poem, the speaker's voice can change, evolve, or even contradict itself, reflecting the complexity of human emotion.

Examples of lyric poems with distinct speakers:

* "Ode to a Nightingale" by John Keats: The speaker is a man contemplating the beauty of the nightingale's song and yearning for escape from the world's troubles.

* "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe: The speaker is a grieving man haunted by the titular raven, symbolizing loss and despair.

* "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare: The speaker is a lover expressing his adoration for his beloved, comparing her to a summer's day.

Understanding the speaker in lyric poetry is crucial to interpreting the poem's meaning. By analyzing the speaker's voice, emotions, and perspective, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the poem's themes and message.