Poetry Structure Flashcards
Couplet
Two successive lines of rhyming verse having the same number of feet
Stanza
Lines which have been grouped together to form a unit within a poem. Stanzas are categorized according to the number of lines they contain. Most commonly used are the following: couplet, tercel or triplet, quatrain, sestet, rhyme royal (seven lines), octet, octave, or ottava rima
Terect/ Triplet
Three line stanza on a single rhyme or the last half of an Italian sonnets sestet
Quatrain
Stanza of four lines
Blank Verse
A type of unrhymed poetry using five iambic feet. This form was popularized by Shakespeare and Milton
Free Verse
Poetry which has no regular patterns of rhyme, meter or line length. Instead, it relies on natural speech rhythms. Frees from the traditional conventions associated with poetry, free verse allows the writer considerable flexibility
Shakespearian Sonnet
A lyrical poem consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter with complicated rhyme pattern. Consists of three quatrains (ABAB CDCD EFEF) followed by a rhyming couplet (GG). Typically, the quartering establish a theme, and the outlet closes the poem with a succinct conclusion or emphasis on the main point.
Italian Sonnet
Also known as Petrarchan, a lyrical poem consisting of fourteen lines in iambic pentameter with a complicated rhyming pattern. Consists of an octave (rhyming ABBA ABBA) and a sestet (rhyming CDE CDE). The subject, often a problem, question, or experience, is introduced in the octet. The sestet provides an answer, or at least a commentary
Ballad
A fairly short, simple poem telling a story, often about a tragic event, popular legens, courageous act, or great love. Folk ballads are written to be sung, while literary ballads are written to be read or recited. More generally, ballads tend to start near the action, use simple language, suggest antecedent action, contain dialogue, emphasize plot and character, use refrains and choruses, follow regular patterns, and make references to superstitions, dreams, and magic.
Epic
A long narrative poem recounting the deeds of heroic figures from legends or history. Written in an evel acted style, the epic typically focuses. A hero of national significance, deeds requiring great courage, supernatural forces intervening in the action, and many descriptive details.
Ode
A longer lyric poem having a serious subject and dignified style, often addressed to some person, natural. Feature, or material object.
Concrete Poetry
A recent experimental form of poetry which is intended to combine visual and aural elements of art and music in poetic form. Concrete poetry has a definite shape suggesting the poems subject, and tend to play with letters, sounds, or words, using the, in new original ways.
Sestet
The last six lines of an Italian Sonnet
Refrain
A phrase or sentence repeated at regular intervals in a poem or song. Refrains usually occur after each stanza
Octet
Refers to an eight line poem or stanza, or the first eight lines of the Italian Sonnet
