And with these remarks I think we have determined in their essential features both the sphere and function of lyric poetry as contrasted with the epic and dramatic types. As regards the more detailed examination and classification of our new subject-matter, we cannot do better than follow the course previously adopted in our examination of epic poetry. _First_, we have to discuss the _general_ character of lyric composition. _Secondly_, we shall consider the _particular_ characteristics which make the lyric work of art and the types of the same worthy of attention in their more direct relation to the lyric poet. _Thirdly_, we shall conclude the survey with a few remarks upon the _historical_ development of this class of poetic work. Generally I may remark that this survey will be extremely restricted, and for two reasons--first, because I am compelled to reserve the necessary space for the discussion of the dramatic field; secondly, because I must limit myself exclusively to general considerations, inasmuch as the detail embraced by it possesses far more incalculable resources of manifold complexity than in the case of the Epos, and could only be treated in greater fulness and completeness if viewed historically, which is not within the aim of the present work. I. GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE LYRIC. In the stimulus of epic poetry is the desire to hear the thing or matter which is unfolded on its own account, and independently of the poet,[2] as an objective and essentially exclusive totality. In the lyric, on the contrary, it is the converse need which finds its satisfaction in self-expression and the coming to a knowledge of the soul in this expression of itself. With regard to the nature of this effusion,[3] we may enumerate its most important constituents as follows: _First,_ there is the _content_ in which soul-life is aware of itself and reflects itself in idea. _Secondly_, there is the _form,_ in virtue of which the expression of this content becomes lyric poetry. _Thirdly_, there is the stage of conscious life and culture from which the person thus lyrically viewed discloses his feelings and ideas.