Here's why:
* Narrative poetry tells a story. Just like in a novel or short story, the plot provides the framework for the events, characters, and their interactions.
* Plot drives the narrative. It creates conflict, builds suspense, and leads to a resolution or conclusion.
* Plot reveals themes. The choices characters make and the way events unfold often illustrate deeper themes and ideas the poet wants to explore.
While other elements like character development, imagery, and figurative language are also essential, plot is the backbone that holds a narrative poem together and gives it its structure and meaning.