* Oral tradition: Poetry developed alongside spoken language and was a powerful tool for storytelling, preserving history, and passing on cultural knowledge.
* Accessibility: Before the widespread use of literacy, poetry was accessible to everyone, regardless of their reading abilities.
* Emotional impact: Poetry's use of rhyme, rhythm, and imagery makes it a powerful tool for evoking emotions and creating a visceral connection with the audience.
* Versatility: Poetry can address a wide range of topics, from love and loss to politics and philosophy.
While inventions like the printing press played a role in disseminating poetry more widely, it was not a singular catalyst for its dominance. Poetry's popularity stemmed from its inherent qualities and its enduring role in human culture.
It's important to note that the statement that poetry was once the "most common form of literary expression" might be an oversimplification. While poetry was certainly a crucial and widely practiced form, other forms of literature co-existed alongside it, such as folk tales, myths, and historical chronicles.