Is Poe's "The Raven" an exampleof lyric poetry? Why or Why not?Your answer should include a definition of what lyric poetry is.

First, let's understand what a lyric poem is.
Historically, a lyric poem was intended to be sung, so rhyme and rhythm are important to
the structure of a lyric poem. Lyric poems in modern times may not be set to music but
still are very expressive of the poet's emotions.

According
to this definition, The Raven is an excellent example of lyric
poetry, although it may be a little long compared to the usual lyric poem. The choice of
words and use of strategic pauses creates an unvarying meter throughout the poem; eight
pairs of stressed and unstressed syllables in every line. The only exceptions to this
pattern are in second, fourth and fifth line of each stanza, where an extra unstressed
syllable is not included. In the sixth line of each stanza, there are three pairs of
stressed and unstressed syllables and an extra stressed syllable at the
end.

The rhyme scheme of the poem is also constant and
unvarying, which lends to musical feeling of the words and contributes to the overall
impression created.