Major Types of Poems
1. Sonnets
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14 line poem usually written in iambic pentameter
Focuses on one: subject
Two types = Shakespearean/English or Petrarchan/Italian
Petrarchan sonnet has two parts o 8 line octave with rhyme scheme abba abba
o 6 line sestet with a rhyme scheme cdecde or some variation
o The volta, or tum, occurs between the octave and the sestet
o Octave usually presents a problem, idea' or question and the sestet solves or
answers it
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Shakespearean
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rhyme scheme = ababcdcdefefgg
Three quatrains and one couplet
couplet amplifies, restates Or reverses the poem's theme or ideas
See pages 917 -·922 in your textbook for additional information on the sonne~ and
examples
2. Narrative
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Poetry
the narrative poems tells a story
it can be brief or long (epic)
usually objective
told by a speaker detached from the action
contains regular rhyme scheme
3. Lyric Poetry
• brief poem that expressed personal emotions and thoughts of a single speaker
• speaker is not necessarily the poet
• can be used, expressed in other forms such as the sonnet, ode and haiku
• NOT narrative
4. Dramatic Monologues
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poem told by one speaker about a significant event
speaker reveals in his own words the dramatic situation in which he is involved
speaker demonstrates his character through the poem
speaker addresses a listener who does not engage in dialogue but helps to develop the
speech
speaker's revelation of his own character may be unintentional (negative)
the reader can see the implications of what the speaker says/admits
Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" and "Porphyria's Lover" are two famous
examples
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5. Ode
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Poetry characterized by a serious topic and a formal tone
No standard pattern
Lengthy lyrical poems
Often include lofty emotions written/conveyed in a dignified style
Typical topics = truth, art, freedom, justice and the meaning oflife
Often written for public publication, reading
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Use of apostrophe is common (especially with the Romantic poets i.e. "Ode to the West
Wind")
6. Villanelle
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19 lines
Divided into 5 tercets (five groups of three lines) and 1 quatrain
Rhyme scheme aba aba aba aba aba abaa
Line 1 is repeated to form line 6, 12 and 18
Line 3 is repeated to form line 9, 15 and 19
A very structured poem - why would someone use it? Think about irony!
Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" is a famous villanolle
7. Sestina
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39 lines divided into 6 six-line stanzas and a 3 line concluding stanza called an envoy
Words are repeated from the first stanza's end lines in.the other stanzas endlines.
Very demanding fixed form!
Elizabeth Bishop's "Sestina" appeared on a previous AP multiple choice section
Consider the repetition of words - what words are emphasized and why?
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2. To plan and write an essay in resp~risi to a pair of poems (comparison/contrast):
Devices
Poem A
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PoemB
Subject/theme
Form
Diction
Imagery
Rhythm
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Sound effects
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Mood
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Evaluation/personal
response
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Once you have done your comparison, decide on the important elements to discuss. MOST
comparison/contrast essays follow one of two formats.
Format A:
Format B:
Intro
Elements/devices
Elements/devices
Conclusion
presented in Poem A are discussed
presented in Poem B are discussed
Intro
Element A discussed
Element B discussed
Element C discussed
Element D discussed
Conclusion
using
using
using
using
both
both
both
both
poems
poems
poems
poems
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