Sonnets, Odes, Free Verse, and Folk Songs The Styles of the Week!

Sonnets Comes from the Italian word sonetto Comes from the Italian word sonetto First introduced in English by Thomas Wyatt in the 1500s First introduced in English by Thomas Wyatt in the 1500s Used by Victorian poets (who didn’t like them?) Used by Victorian poets (who didn’t like them?) Made very famous by people like Shakespeare Made very famous by people like Shakespeare Form: Three quatrains (def.) and a couplet (def.) in iambic pentameter Form: Three quatrains (def.) and a couplet (def.) in iambic pentameter The couplet is meant to be different from the rest of the poem The couplet is meant to be different from the rest of the poem Rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g Rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g

An Example of a Sonnet Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116- Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. O no, it is an ever fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wand’ring barque, Whose worth’s unknown although his height be taken. Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle’s compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Odes A poem of enthusiastic emotion A poem of enthusiastic emotion Lyric poem of length Lyric poem of length Subject of the poem is often something that has been lost Subject of the poem is often something that has been lost Could be sung Could be sung Began writing them in 1500s Began writing them in 1500s Important odes were written in the 1700s Important odes were written in the 1700s Shelley, Keats, and Byron were famous Romantic poets Shelley, Keats, and Byron were famous Romantic poets

Example of an Ode “Ode to Autumn” – John Keats “Ode to Autumn” – John Keats Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness! Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with the him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch- eaves run…

Free Verse Poems Does not rhyme Does not rhyme Rhythm and cadence vary throughout Rhythm and cadence vary throughout Originated in France in the 19 th century Originated in France in the 19 th century Made famous by a variety of poets, but Walt Whitman (1840s-1890s) was first famous American to do it Made famous by a variety of poets, but Walt Whitman (1840s-1890s) was first famous American to do it

Example of Free Verse “I Hear America Singing” – Walt Whitman “I Hear America Singing” – Walt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear; Those of mechanics-each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong; The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or bam, The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work; The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat – the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck…

Folk Songs Existed since the late 1800s Existed since the late 1800s Often sung by a single person with a guitar or other instrument Often sung by a single person with a guitar or other instrument About changes in society or revolution About changes in society or revolution Songs that fight for working people and the poor Songs that fight for working people and the poor Often take on topics and politics of the day in a poetic manner Often take on topics and politics of the day in a poetic manner

Example of a Folk Song “The Times They are A-Changing” – Bob Dylan “The Times They are A-Changing” – Bob Dylan Come mothers and fathers throughout the land. And don’t criticize what you can’t understand. Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command. Your old road is rapidly aging. Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand, For the times, they are a-changing.

Blues Songs Originated with African-American slaves in the 1800s Originated with African-American slaves in the 1800s Songs about leaving and suffering Songs about leaving and suffering Became popular in the early 1920s as popular music Became popular in the early 1920s as popular music Themes: traveling, cheating partners, bad luck, being pushed around, fighting against injustice Themes: traveling, cheating partners, bad luck, being pushed around, fighting against injustice Typically take an A-A-B pattern, in which the first two lines repeat Typically take an A-A-B pattern, in which the first two lines repeat

Example of a Blues Songs “Dust My Broom” – Robert Johnson Get up in the mornin,’ I believe I’ll dust my broom. Quit the best gal I been lovin,’ my best friend he can have my room.