Poetry Forms

1. Poetry Forms Power Point #5

2. Epic A long narrative poem – that tells an exciting story Serious tone Usually doesn’t rhyme Many lines and stanzas Usually begins with an appeal to a muse (Greek origins) for inspiration Epics have 6 main characteristics: -the hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance -the setting is vast, covering many nations, the world, or the universe -the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage -supernatural forces--gods, angels, demons--interest themselves in the action -a style of sustained elevation is used -the poet retains a measure of objectivity

3. Epic - Sample Examples: The Faire Queene by Edmund Spencer Paradise Lost by John Milton Gilgamesh The Iliad & The Odyssey by Homer Beowulf The Faerie Queene: Book I (1596) Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine, Y cladd in mightie armes and siluer shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine, The cruell markes of many' a bloudy fielde; Yet armes till that time did he neuer wield: His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: Full iolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt, As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.

4. Sonnet A 14 line poem Has specific rhyme pattern Usually written to praise Many are written about love Formal/serious tone Iambic pentameter (rhythm) Two Kinds of Sonnets Petrarchan (Italian) Two stanzas: one of eight lines, followed by a six line stanza Abbaabba / cdecde Shakespearean (English) Four stanzas: three four line stanzas, followed by one couplet Abab / cdcd / efef / gg

5. Sonnet – Sample Sonnet 18 By William Shakespeare Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? a Thou art more lovely and more temperate: b Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, a And summer's lease hath all too short a date: b Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, c And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; d And every fair from fair sometime declines, c By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd; dBut thy eternal summer shall not fade e Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; f Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, e When in eternal lines to time thou growest: f So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, g So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. g

6. Ode Celebrates a single object or idea Single purpose and deals with a single subject Can be written on just about anything May or may not rhyme Lines and stanzas can vary Elaborate tone “Ode To Cheese”Ode To Cheese, Which Makes Us Smile, When Cameras go Clack.Ode To Cheese, Which make us taste, The greatest of flavors, the wackiest of whack.Ode To Cheese, Blue, Gorgonzola, American and Cheddar.Ode To Cheese, Beja and Feta, In all types of weather.Ode To Cheese, For those on a diet, or trying to get fatter.Ode To Cheese, with crackers and wine, with grapes can flatter.Ode To Cheese, when you're sad and happy, Cheese just fits.Ode To Cheese, Mountains and Mountains, or bits and bits.Ode to the Cheese, To appreciate, eat, and take pictures. Is there rhyme here? How many stanzas?

7. Elegy • A formal poem that reflects on • death or another solemn theme • Written to memorialize • someone • Formal & serious tone • May or may not rhyme • Lines and stanzas vary “She Dwelt Among Untrodden Ways” By William Wordsworth She dwelt among the untrodden waysBeside the springs of Dove,A Maid whom there were none to praiseAnd very few to love:A violet by a mossy stoneHalf hidden from the eye!Fair as a star, when only oneIs shining in the sky.She lived unknown, and few could knowWhen Lucy ceased to be;But she is in her grave, and, oh,The difference to me! What is the poet reflecting on in this poem? Who is he memorializing?

8. Epitaph • Text honoring the deceased, most commonly inscribed on a tombstone or plaque. • Traditionally an epitaph is in verse, but there are exceptions. • Many poets have been known to compose their own epitaphs prior to their death. • A good epitaph is considered to be one that is memorable, or at least makes one think. • A wry trick of many successful epitaphs is to 'speak' to the reader and warn them about their own mortality. Do Believe I’ll Never Leave You Do believe I’ll never leave you:Always I’ll be in your heart.Don’t forget my soul is near you,And so we’ll never be apart. Do believe I’ll never leave you:Always I’ll be in your heart.Don’t forget my soul is near you: Death might take my presence from you,Yet we’ll never be apart.~Nicholas Gordon Do not stand at my grave and weep Do not stand at my grave and weep;I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on ripened grain.I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hushI am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there, I did not die.~Mary Frye

9. Epitaph - continued Here lies Ann Mann,Who lived an old maidBut died an old Mann.~Dec. 8, 1767 Here lies the bodyof Jonathan BlakeStepped on the gasInstead of the brake. "I told you I was sick!" • I knew if I waited around long enough something like this would happen—George Bernard Shaw • Pardon me for not getting up—Ernest Hemingway

10. Concrete • Poetry in which the typographical arrangement of words is as important in conveying the intended effect as the conventional elements of the poem, such as meaning of words, rhythm, rhyme and so on. • It is sometimes referred to as visual poetry • May or may not rhyme • Subject can be just about anything • Tone is usually playful or light-hearted • The arrangement of lines and stanzas depends on the shape the poet wishes to make

11. Concrete - Samples