Forms of Poetry: Ode, Elegy, Sonnet

1. Forms of Poetry: Ode, Elegy, Sonnet

2. Ode • Purpose: to give praise to any single object or idea. • Characteristics: Can be any length and it does not have to rhyme. • Example: Ode to Enchanted Light, pg 848

3. Elegy • Purpose: to help remember and praise a person who has died or another serious subject like war. • Characteristics: has a formal and serious tone • Example: She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways, pg 850

4. Sonnet • Purpose: to praise a loved one (usually) or is just about love • Characteristics: 14 lines that follow a specific rhyming pattern • ABBAABBACDECDE • ABBAABBACDCDCD • Example: Harriet Beecher Stowe, pg 853

5. Harriet Beecher Stowe She told the story, and the whole world wept (A) At wrongs and cruelties it had not known (B) But for this fearless woman’s voice alone. (B) She spoke to the consciences that long had slept (A) Her message, Freedom’s clear reveille, swept (A) From headless hovel to complacent throne. (B) Command and prophecy were in the tone (B) And from its sheath the sword of justice leapt (A)

6. Around two peoples swelled the fiery wave (C) But both came forth transfigured from the flame (D) Blest be the hand that dared be strong to save, (C) And blest be she who in our weakness came -- (D) Prophet and priestess! At one stroke she gave (C) A race to freedom and herself to fame. (D)

7. Epic • Purpose: to tell an inspiring story about a hero • Characteristics: very formal, usually has a lot of lines and stanzas. • Example: Invocation from John Brown’s Body, pg 851