What are the characteristics of long funny poems that tell a story?

Well, they often have vivid characters. Just like in 'The Hunting of the Snark', the Snark itself is a very mysterious and funny character concept. And there are all these other odd characters on the hunt. Another characteristic is unexpected plot twists. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', you don't expect all the strange things that happen after the mariner shoots the albatross. Also, wordplay is common. In many such poems, the poets play with words to create humor. For example, using puns or creating new words that add to the comical effect of the story.

One characteristic is a complex plot. Since they are long, they can develop a story with many twists and turns, like in 'The Odyssey' where Odysseus faces numerous challenges on his journey home. Another is the use of vivid characters. These poems often have well - developed characters that drive the story forward. For example, Beowulf in 'Beowulf' is a very strong and heroic character. Also, they usually have a strong sense of setting. In 'The Divine Comedy', Dante describes the different levels of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven in great detail, which helps to set the mood and context of the story.

Long poems that tell a story often have complex characters. Since they have more space to develop, the characters can be multi - dimensional. For example, in 'The Divine Comedy', Dante encounters various figures in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, each with their own backstories and personalities. Another characteristic is the elaborate plot. These poems can cover a wide range of events and time periods, like in 'The Odyssey' which spans Odysseus' many years of wandering.

A good long poems story often has rich imagery. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the detailed descriptions of the sea and the strange events create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It also usually has a strong narrative arc, like in 'Paradise Lost' where the story of the fall of man unfolds in a very structured way.

Another great one is 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It's a long narrative poem that has elements of the supernatural and is also quite humorous in parts. The mariner's tale of his misadventures at sea, from shooting the albatross to his various trials and tribulations, is both engaging and funny in a dark, ironic way. It's a classic that tells a story with a moral undertone as well.

One example is 'The Hunting of the Snark' by Lewis Carroll. It's a long and humorous poem filled with absurd characters and a strange adventure. The characters embark on a quest to find the Snark, and throughout the journey, all kinds of comical situations unfold.

One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a short story or a novel, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Highwayman', it starts with introducing the highwayman and his love for Bess, then there's the conflict when the redcoats come, and finally the tragic end. Another characteristic is the use of vivid imagery to bring the story to life. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the descriptions of the sea, the ice, and the strange creatures make the story more engaging. Also, there is often a central character or characters that the story revolves around.

Well, these poems usually have a plot. Just like in a short story, there is a problem or conflict. In 'Casey at the Bat', the conflict is Casey's need to hit the ball to win the game. They also tend to have a narrative arc. Starting from an introduction, like in 'Paul Revere's Ride' where we are introduced to Paul Revere, then rising action such as his ride through the night, a climax when he warns the people, and a resolution. Moreover, the language is often descriptive to bring the story to life, for instance, the vivid descriptions in 'Goblin Market' of the goblin fruits.

These poems may also rely on the power of suggestion. Instead of telling a story, they give hints and let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks. For example, a poem might describe a strange object and leave it up to the reader to decide what it means or what it might be related to, rather than spelling out a story.

One characteristic is the use of religious elements in a humorous way. For example, they might tell a story about a well - known Bible character in a comical situation. In poems, it could be rhyming words that playfully describe a religious concept.