Poetry ©2012 Worldwide Hock

Before we begin… Write down a few lines of one of your favorite songs. Make these the first few lines of a poem. Count the syllables in each line. Try to write several new lines, each of which has the same number of syllables as the lines of the song lyrics.

Before we begin… In the poem “Words,” Dana Gioia writes, The world does not need words. It articulates itself in sunlight, leaves, and shadows. Think of other things that don’t speak, and write a brief lyrical poem about how these things express themselves. How does an apple, or a ball, or a house communicate?

Before we begin… Write down one emotion that you want to convey in a poem. List a few of the obvious experiences that could make you feel that emotion Now ignore the list. In your poem, describe an event you wouldn’t normally associate with the emotion you’ve chosen.

An Introduction to Poetry ©2012 Worldwide Hock

Objectives for today Identify the basic definitions of poetry Explore some tactics for approaching poetry Practice responding analytically to a poem

What is poetry?

Poetry “Poetry is Transfiguration, the transfiguration of the Actual or the Real into the Ideal, at a lofty elevation, through the medium of melodious or nobly sounding verse.” -Alfred Austin

Poetry “A poem consists of all the purest and most beautiful elements in the poet’s nature, crystallized into the aptest and most exquisite language, and adorned with all the outer embellishment of musical cadence (fall or modulation of voice in music or verse) or dainty rhyme.” -Grant Allen

Poetry “The art of poetry is simply the art of electrifying language with extraordinary meaning.” -Lascelles Abercrombie

Why study poetry? Poetry has a unique value to the examined life. “Out of our quarrels with others we make rhetoric. Out of our quarrels with ourselves we make poetry.” William Butler Yeats Poetry has a unique value to the examined life. Provides greater awareness. Deepens and broadens understanding. Offers emotional and intellectual fulfillment.

Poetry Depicts Experience! Beautiful or ugly Strange or common Noble or not Actual or Imaginary

What others have said… “Poetry lies its way to the truth.” –John Ciardi “Poetry is the search for the inexplicable.” –Wallace Stevens “All art is sensual and poetry particularly so.” -William Carlos Williams “Paint is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.” -Plutarch

The Eagle He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ringed with the azure world, he stands. The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls. Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) What is peculiarly effective about the expressions “crooked hands,” close to the sun,” “ringed with the azure world,” “wrinkled,” “crawls,” and “like a thunderbolt”? Notice the formal pattern of the poem, particularly the contrast of “he stands” in the first stanza and “he falls” in the second. Is there any other contrast between the two stanzas?

Studying Poetry Vocis Poetica Author Speaker Audience Reader Principia Poetica Presentation Experience Truth

Where to Begin… S O A P T o n e peaker ccasion udience urpose ubject

Important Considerations Tone/Speaker Does the voice shift? Is it intimate? Is it overheard or projected to a calculated audience?

Important Considerations Mood What is the emotional atmosphere? How is it established? Does it shift?

Important Considerations Form Be alert to structure! Note any traditional patterns.

Important Considerations Verisimilitude Does the poem offer a likeness to ‘truth’? Responses may vary according to the reader (experience, wisdom, willingness to suspend disbelief).

Important Considerations Diction/Syntax Consider the effects, success, impressions. Do not merely describe!!!!!

Important Considerations Syntax Is it written in sentences or not? So what? Consider the effects of punctuation.

Important Considerations Rhyme and Rhythm Are the rhymes internal, end, close/near/slant? So what? Is the rhythm regular or irregular? Is the rhythm arbitrary or bound to the other effects?

Important Considerations Imagery Do not merely list images. Any moron can do that!!! Does the poem depend on the images? Is the poem conceptual or visual? Does the poem develop through the images or the images through the poem? Be alert to synesthesia!

Important Considerations Symbolism Are there any intended symbols? Concrete/Abstract? Archetypal/Traditional/Literary? Literal/Figurative?

Poetry goes deeper than outward experience. Rocks make mountains, but are not the mountain scenery. Lips meeting is a kiss, but do not define a kiss.