Wednesday, Jan. 28- Poetry - Poetry Terms
There are some common terms used in poetry. Think about how these terms make up a poem. Think about how if poems change their meter or verse, they will sound different, perhaps even take on different meanings.
Meter: The pattern of repeated stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.
Iambic Pentameter: A line of five “iambs” or “feet” in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed syllable.
- / - / - / - / - /
Example:
"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
- / - / - / - / - /
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."
– William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18
Blank Verse: Unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter (defined below).
- / - / - / - / - /
Example:
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?"
- / - / - / - / - /
"It is the east. And Juliet is the sun!"
– William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Couplet: A pair of lines in poetry of a similar length that rhyme.
Example:
"Tell me if you think you know
How to make a turtle go."
– Charles Ghinga, Turtle Trouble
Stanza: In poetry a stanza is a paragraph.
Verse: A metric line of poetry, or as a whole, ‘verse’ can refer to poetry itself.
ASSIGNMENT: Look at our Poem of the Day. Think about how the meter, stanzas and rhythm help add meaning to this poem. Think about the silence and simplicity of snowy woods and the quiet simplicity of this poem.
“Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.