Poetry Flashcards
When I do count the clocks TONE
Changes from pessimism to optimism/from hopelessness to hope
When I do count the clocks STRUCTURE & HOW IT ENHANCES MEANING
Poem is one sentence - extended metaphor to show how time never stops
Cape of storms MAIN IDEA
It’s not where you are that’s important, but whom you are with
Cape of storms TONE
Octave: depressed/melancholy
Sestet: grateful/cheerful/appreciative
If thou must love me MAIN IDEA
Love cannot be based on anything finite as when those things fade, so will the love
If thou must love me TONE
Contemplative, thoughtful, calm
Not a lot of open passion but genuine feelings expressed
If thou must love me STRUCTURE
No figures of speech - her emotion is pure and real
Dashes slow down the pace, controlling the emotion so it seems real and genuine
Learn’d astronomer MAIN IDEA
We mustn’t lose appreciation of the mystery and mystique of the world. We mustn’t only accept scientific explanations and forget about the wonder of the universe/nature.
Learn’d astronomer TONE
First 7 lines: boredom, frustration
Last 3 lines: serenity, peaceful, sense of relief as faith is restored
Learn’d astronomer STRUCTURE
First 5 lines: long to indicate boredom, disinterest
Last 4 lines: focus, interest
Poem is irregular - enhances meaning: one doesn’t have to follow scientific rules.
The tyger MAIN IDEA
Celebration of both the physical and the spirituals. They are both equals as they’re both creations of god. Neither should be denied but should be expressed and controlled
The tyger TONE
Wonder
Awe
Admiration
The tyger STRUCTURE
Regular rhythm - could represent sound of a hammer creating the tiger
Symmetrical - symbolises perfection
Alliteration - something random is given order/structure
Ode to Autumn MAIN IDEA
Although Autumn brings death, it shouldn’t be viewed so negatively. Life and death are intertwined, and death is necessary for change.
Ode to Autumn TONE
Melancholy Reminiscent BUT Joyful Happy
Ode to Autumn STRUCTURE
Iambic pentameter - idea of completeness/continuity
Last 7 lines - new rhyme scheme: the idea of constant yet changing
Long vowel sounds in Ode to Autumn
Emphasise abundance of fruit/life
Idea of orchestra in Ode to Autumn
Everything is structures and organised/rehearsed
Dover beach MAIN IDEA
Amongst all the negativity and darkness, there’s a glimmer of hope which he finds in his relationship.
Dover beach TONE
Beginning - tranquil
Mood change in line 9 - fear, danger, violence, melancholy
Dover beach STRUCTURE
Lots of enjambment - shows feeling of desperation
Starts in a very ordered way, then becomes disordered, then ordered again
Release MAIN IDEA
Celebrates Mandela’s release, seen in a messianic way. Connects Mandela to Christ.
Release TONE
Awe
Appreciation
Wonder
Respect
Release FIGURES IF SPEECH/EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
Not much of it - impersonal
My secret MAIN IDEA
A secret loses meaning once shared. Mocking poetry critics who always search for a deeper meaning when there may not even be one