Types of Poem Lesson: Poetic Structure, Elements, Genres and Devices

Lesson Overview

• What Is Poetry?
• Importance of Poetry in Literature
• Types of Poems
• Poetic Genres
• Structured Forms of Poems
• Poem Elements
• Poetic Devices
• Conclusion

What Is Poetry?

Poetry, one of the oldest forms of literary expression, is a unique artistic endeavor that utilizes language in its most concentrated form. Unlike prose, which is structured in sentences and paragraphs, poetry is often organized into lines and stanzas, employing a deliberate and strategic use of rhythm, sound, and silence. 

These lines can adhere to strict rules regarding meter and rhyme, or they can flow freely without such constraints. The essence of poetry lies in its ability to convey emotions and ideas in a manner that transcends ordinary language, often invoking imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to relate deeply with readers.

Importance of Poetry in Literature

Poetry holds a significant place in the landscape of literature due to its profound ability to express the inexpressible. It distills complex human experiences into a form that can be both intensely personal and universally relevant.

This genre serves multiple functions

• Cultural Reflection and Preservation
  Poetry captures the essence of a culture's values, struggles, and beliefs. It preserves historical and personal narratives in ways that historical documents and textbooks cannot, offering insights into the human condition and societal changes.
  
• Language Enrichment
  Poets often push the boundaries of language, experimenting with new expressions and forms. This not only enriches the language but also expands the ways in which people can express themselves. Poetry's innovative use of vocabulary, structure, and form contributes to the evolution of language and its expressive capacity.
  
• Emotional and Cognitive Engagement
  Poetry engages its audience both emotionally and intellectually. The use of metaphors, allegories, and rhythmic patterns stimulates cognitive functions and invites readers to interpret and find meanings beyond the literal words on the page.
  
• Aesthetic Pleasure
  Poetry is also valued for its aesthetic qualities. The sound of poetry, whether read aloud or silently, plays a crucial role in its appreciation, as the auditory elements of rhyme, rhythm, and meter contribute to the overall aesthetic experience.
  
• Therapeutic Effects
  Engaging with poetry can have therapeutic effects. It provides a safe space for emotional exploration and can be a powerful tool for coping with trauma, loss, and change. The reflective and often meditative practice of reading or writing poetry can aid in personal growth and emotional resilience.

Types of Poems

Poetry mainly consists of five distinct poem types: Narrative, Lyric, Descriptive, Reflective, and Humorous.

Let's learn about them one by one

Narrative Poems

Narrative poems are essentially stories told through verse, where the poet adopts the voice of a narrator to depict a series of events. These poems are structured much like short stories, with characters, a setting, a plot, and often a climactic turn of events. They can range from epic sagas to simple ballads, and they often incorporate elements of drama, such as conflict and resolution.

• For Example
  The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a quintessential narrative poem that combines rich, vivid imagery with supernatural elements to tell the story of a mariner's sea voyage. The poem explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the natural world, using a variety of poetic devices such as repetition and internal rhyme to enhance the storytelling.

Excerpt From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?'

Lyric Poems

Lyric poems are intensely personal and are often written in the first person, focusing on thoughts and feelings rather than telling a story. They are usually brief and concentrated, using rhythm and melody to evoke a specific emotional state or mood. Lyric poems can be expressive of a wide range of feelings-from joy, love, and ecstasy, to sadness, grief, and introspection.

• For Example,
  onnet 18 by William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated lyric poems, where the poet praises the beauty of his beloved, comparing it to a summer's day. The sonnet form, with its structured rhyme scheme and meter, serves to enhance the lyrical quality and emotive power of the poem.

Excerpt from Sonnet 18
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate...

Descriptive Poems

Descriptive poems focus on painting a picture with words, creating a vividly detailed scene or image for the reader. These poems rely heavily on visual imagery, but they also engage the other senses to create a full sensory experience. The purpose is not just to describe but to evoke the emotions or atmosphere associated with the subject.

• For Example
  To Autumn by John Keats is a masterpiece of descriptive poetry, capturing the lushness and bountiful harvest of the autumn season. Keats uses rich, evocative language and imagery that appeal to the senses-sight, sound, and taste-to bring the season to life.

Excerpt From To Autumn
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run...

Reflective Poems

Reflective poems are contemplative and introspective, often dealing with philosophical or existential themes. These poems invite the reader to ponder big questions about life, identity, morality, or the universe. The tone can vary from serene and meditative to somber and questioning.

• For Example
  The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost uses the simple metaphor of a fork in a road to explore the complex theme of life's choices and their consequences. The poem's reflective nature encourages readers to consider their own paths and the decisions that shape their lives.

Excerpt From the Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could...

Humorous Poems

Humorous poems use comedy to entertain, critique, or provide satirical commentary. They often employ techniques such as puns, parody, and irony to create laughter or amusement. While they can be light-hearted and whimsical, they can also serve as sharp critiques of social norms or behaviors.

• For Example
  The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear utilizes nonsensical language and absurd imagery to create a humorous and enchanting narrative. The poem delights in its playful use of rhyme and rhythm, drawing readers into a fantastical world while providing amusement and joy.

Excerpt From The Owl and The Pussycat
The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat.
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

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Poetic Genres

The study of poetic genres reveals a diverse array of forms that cater to different thematic and expressive needs. 

Epic

The epic is a grand, narrative genre that often details heroic deeds and historically significant events. Characterized by its extensive length and complex storylines, epics incorporate elements of myth, legend, and folklore, often serving as foundational texts for cultures and societies.

• Structural Features
  Epics are typically written in a formal, elevated style and are composed in long, narrative verses.
  
• Purpose
  The primary function of epics is to immortalize the great deeds of heroes, and to instill values that reflect the ideals of the society from which they originate.
  
• Historical Significance
  Epics often preserve the history and cultural values of a civilization.
  
• For Example
  The Iliad by Homer, which narrates the events of the Trojan War, is a quintessential example of an epic. It combines historical events with mythological elements, showcasing the heroism and tragedy of its characters.

Excerpt From The Iliad
Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought
countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send
hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs
and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled...

Ballad

A ballad is a form of narrative verse that is often set to music. Originally passed down orally, ballads typically recount tragic, comic, or heroic stories with emphasis on a central dramatic event. They are known for their simplicity, repetition, and rhythmic quality.

• Structural Features
  Ballads are usually composed in quatrains with a simple rhyme scheme (ABCB), and are marked by repetition and incremental variation.
  
• Purpose
  Ballads were traditionally used to narrate local legends or folktales, making them accessible and memorable for the general populace.
  
• For Example
  The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, though a literary ballad, retains the traditional elements of this genre, telling a compelling story with rhythmic and repetitive poetic structures.

Excerpt From The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?'

Elegy

An elegy is a reflective, mournful poem that laments the loss of a person or an era. This genre of poetry explores themes of mourning, grief, and melancholy, often with a philosophical reflection on mortality.

• Structural Features
  Elegies are typically written in a formal, somber tone and may include a consolatory conclusion.
  
• Purpose
  The elegy serves as a means for expressing grief, offering condolences, or contemplating the transient nature of life.
  
• For Example
  Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray beautifully illustrates this genre, offering contemplation on life and death, and the forgotten lives of common people.

Excerpt From Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Ode

An ode is a form of lyrical stanza. Historically, odes were sung, but modern odes are generally structured in elaborate stanza forms that express praise, exaltation, or other deep emotions.

• Structural Features
  Odes often employ a formal stanza structure, rich poetic devices, and a ceremonious tone.
  
• Purpose
  This genre is used to celebrate virtues, objects, or individuals, highlighting the poet's admiration or reverence.
  
• For Example
  Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats exemplifies the ode's ability to elevate the mundane to the realm of the eternal, exploring the relationship between art, beauty, and truth.

Excerpt From Ode on a Grecian Urn
Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,
Thou foster-child of Silence and slow Time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:

Structured Forms of Poems

In the realm of poetry, structured forms play a crucial role in shaping the expression and reception of poetic works. These forms adhere to specific rules regarding meter, rhyme, and layout, which contribute to their unique aesthetic and rhythmic qualities.

Sonnet

The sonnet is a sophisticated form that consists of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter. There are several variants, but the most common are the Petrarchan (or Italian) and the Shakespearean (or English) sonnets.

• Structural Features
  Both variants have a specific rhyme scheme. The Petrarchan sonnet is structured into an octave (ABBAABBA) and a sestet (CDECDE or CDCDCD), while the Shakespearean sonnet features three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet (ABABCDCDEFEFGG).
  
• Purpose
  Sonnets are often used to explore complex emotions and ideas, particularly themes of love, beauty, politics, and mortality.
  
• For Example
  Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 is perhaps one of the most famous examples, utilizing the form to immortalize the beauty of a loved one through the enduring nature of verse.

Excerpt From Sonnet 18
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:

Haiku

Originating from Japan, the haiku is a concise yet profound poetic form, emphasizing simplicity, intensity, and directness of expression.

• Structural Features
  It consists of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Traditional haiku often includes a "kigo" (season word) that indicates the season in which the poem is set.
  
• Purpose
  Haiku traditionally focuses on nature and provides a momentary observation that reflects a larger existential or aesthetic insight.
  
• For Example
  Matsuo Bashō's haiku, such as "An old silent pond..." captures a singular, reflective moment in nature that invites contemplation.

Haiku by Matsuo Bashō
An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond-
Splash! Silence again.

Limerick

The limerick is a humorous and often nonsensical poem known for its distinctive rhythm and rhyme scheme.

• Structural Features
  It consists of five lines with a rhyme scheme of AABBA, where the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme and have three metrical feet, while the third and fourth lines have two feet and share a different rhyme.
  
• Purpose
  Limericks are typically used for entertainment, often incorporating puns, wordplay, and absurdity.
  
• For Example
  Edward Lear, a master of the form, wrote numerous limericks, such as "There was an Old Man with a beard," which delight with their whimsical and humorous style.

Limerick by Edward Lear
There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, 'It is just as I feared!-
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!'

Free Verse

Free verse poems eschew traditional meter and rhyme schemes, giving poets the freedom to craft their lines without formal constraints.

• Structural Features
  While free verse poems do not follow a specific format, they often utilize other poetic devices such as assonance, alliteration, and varied line breaks to create rhythm and emphasis.
  
• Purpose
  This form allows for greater flexibility and expression, often used to capture more conversational tones or complex imagery.
  
• For Example
  Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass is a seminal work in free verse, using expansive lines and a natural cadence to capture the poet's observations and philosophical musings.

Excerpt from Leaves of Grass
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

Acrostic

Acrostic poems spell out words or messages with the first letters of each line. This form combines the verbal with the visual, creating patterns that enhance the meaning of the poem.

• Structural Features
  The acrostic can be simple or complex, with the hidden word or message revealed as one reads down the first letters of each line.
  
• Purpose
  Often used in puzzles or as a mnemonic device, acrostics can add layers of meaning to a poem, embedding secret messages or emphasizing particular themes.
  
• For Example
  Lewis Carroll's acrostic poem A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky spells out the name of Alice Pleasance Liddell, the child for whom he originally told the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Excerpt From A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky
A boat beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July -

Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear

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Poem Elements

Understanding the foundational elements of poetry is crucial for appreciating and analyzing this form of literature. 

Rhyme and Rhythm

Rhyme and rhythm are among the most recognizable features of poetry, contributing to its musicality and flow. These elements not only enhance the auditory experience of reading poetry but also help to structure and unify poetic text.

• Rhyme
  Rhyme involves the repetition of similar sounding words, occurring typically at the end of lines in poems. Rhyme schemes can vary widely, but they all serve to lend a sense of cohesion and resonance to the poem. Rhymes can be exact or slant, where the sounds are nearly but not quite identical, allowing for more flexibility and complexity in the poem's structure.
  
• Rhythm
  Rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. This metrical foot often dictates the flow and pace of the poem, which can range from the swift and jagged tempo of anapestic meter to the slow and steady march of iambic pentameter. The rhythm of a poem profoundly impacts its mood and tone, with different meters often being employed to complement the poem's thematic content.
  
• For Example
  Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven uses internal rhyme and a melancholic trochaic octameter to create a haunting rhythm that enhances the poem's eerie and mournful theme.

Excerpt From The Raven
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore-
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

Imagery and Themes

Imagery and themes are critical components that poets use to convey messages and evoke emotions. 

• Imagery
  This element uses sensory details to bring life to the poem's subject. Through imagery, poets can transport readers to different times and places, evoke moods, and deepen the emotional impact of their words. Imagery can appeal to all senses: visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory.
  
• Themes
  Themes are the central ideas or messages conveyed by the poem. They can be simple or complex, ranging from love and death to freedom and oppression. Themes often reflect the poet's personal views or broader societal issues, providing deeper insight into human nature and cultural conditions.
  
• For Example
  William Wordsworth's I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud utilizes vivid imagery of daffodils ‘fluttering and dancing in the breeze' to evoke a sense of beauty and tranquility, reinforcing the theme of nature's restorative power.

Excerpt From I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

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Poetic Devices

Poetic devices are the tools poets use to enhance their language and convey deeper meanings or emphasize certain aspects of their poetry. These devices are pivotal in crafting the aesthetic qualities of poems and enriching the reader's experience. The main poetic devices used in poetry are Metaphor and Simile, Alliteration and Assonance, Onomatopoeia, and Personification, each serving unique functions in poetry.

Metaphor and Simile

Metaphors and similes are comparative devices used extensively in poetry to draw resemblances between different things, enhancing understanding and adding layers of meaning.

• Metaphor
  A metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unrelated subjects without using "like" or "as," suggesting they are the same in a significant way. It's a powerful tool for conveying complex ideas through familiar images, deepening the reader's insight into the poem's themes.
  
• Simile
  Similes compare two distinct things using "like" or "as," helping to clarify or enhance an image or concept by associating it with something else that is more familiar or vivid.
  
• For Example
  In Sylvia Plath's Mirror, she uses a metaphor to describe the mirror as "a lake," which reflects back an exact image of the viewer, deepening the thematic exploration of self-perception and truth.

Excerpt From Mirror
I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful-
The eye of a little god, four-cornered.

Alliteration and Assonance

Alliteration and assonance are sound devices that enhance the musicality of poetry and can also intensify mood or underscore particular themes.

• Alliteration
  The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely placed words. It's used to create rhythm, mood, and emphasis on certain words or phrases within the poem.
  
• Assonance
  The repetition of vowel sounds within closely spaced words, particularly in stressed syllables. Assonance can affect the pace and rhythm of lines, enhancing the poem's musical qualities.
  
• For Example
  Edgar Allan Poe's The Bells utilizes alliteration ("silver bells" and "golden bells") and assonance to mimic the sounds and create a musical effect that mimics the bell tones the poem describes.

Excerpt From The Bells
Hear the sledges with the bells-
Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
In the icy air of night!
While the stars that oversprinkle
All the heavens, seem to twinkle
With a crystalline delight;

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia refers to words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to, effectively blurring the line between word sound and meaning.

• Purpose
  This device enhances the reader's sensory experience by making the sound of the poem reflective of its content, adding a layer of realism to the imagery.
  
• For Example
  In "The Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll, onomatopoeic words like "slithy" and "gimble" contribute to a vivid auditory experience that complements the poem's fantastical theme.

Excerpt From The Jabberwocky
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

Personification

Personification involves giving human qualities to animals, objects, or ideas, which can make the non-human elements of a poem relatable and vivid.

• Purpose
  It allows poets to animate the natural world and abstract concepts, making them resonate more deeply with human emotions and experiences.
  
• For Example
  William Blake's Ode to the West Wind personifies the wind, imbuing it with power and agency, which reflects the poem's themes of transformation and renewal.

Excerpt From Ode to the West Wind
O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being,
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing...

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Conclusion

As this lesson on the Types of Poem draws to a close, it's evident that the course has provided students with insightful definitions and classifications in poetry. Understanding the various forms, structures, elements, and devices of poetry empowers students to appreciate the craftsmanship behind each verse. 

This knowledge opens up a new dimension of literary appreciation-enabling a deeper understanding of the words on a page and the depths of emotion they convey. Moreover, knowing these concepts enhances communication skills, providing tools to express complex ideas and emotions effectively.