Final answer:
Yes, poetry did exist before people could read and write. It was passed down orally and served as a way to share stories and cultural traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, poetry did exist before people could read and write. Before the invention of writing systems, poetry was passed down orally from one generation to another. It was commonly used to share stories, histories, and cultural traditions. People would recite and memorize poems, and they would often be accompanied by music or other forms of oral expression.
For example, ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, and Celts had vibrant oral poetic traditions. The Homeric epics, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, were composed and performed orally long before they were written down. These poems were not only a form of entertainment but also served as a way of preserving cultural values and knowledge.
It was only with the development of writing systems that poetry could be written down and preserved for future generations. Writing allowed poets to experiment with different forms, meters, and structures, paving the way for the rich diversity of poetry we have today.
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