poetic devices

Wednesday, April 19, 2023Wednesday, April 19, 2023 SGS peel 2007SGS peel 2007

POETIC DEVICESPOETIC DEVICES

Beginners guideBeginners guide


THE IAMBTHE IAMBIf you read most lines of Shakespeare If you read most lines of Shakespeare you will notice a rhythmic pattern:you will notice a rhythmic pattern:If If mumusic sic bebe the the foodfood of of lovelove, play , play ononI have underlined the stressesI have underlined the stresses and and you will notice a de-DUM de-DUM you will notice a de-DUM de-DUM pattern to the line.pattern to the line.The de-DUM unit is called the IAMB… The de-DUM unit is called the IAMB… EASY.EASY.


De-DUMDe-DUM

Try to write two lines, (a couplet) Try to write two lines, (a couplet) using this device five times in each using this device five times in each line.line.

If you are stuck, look around and If you are stuck, look around and write using what you can see in the write using what you can see in the room.room.


Well DoneWell Done

You have just mastered the iambic You have just mastered the iambic pentameter, the King of poetic form pentameter, the King of poetic form in the English language.in the English language.

To celebrate, write another pair.To celebrate, write another pair.


The TrocheeThe Trochee

If you invert the rhythm, you get a If you invert the rhythm, you get a trochee. Dum-de Dum-de,trochee. Dum-de Dum-de,

As in the lineAs in the line

“ “HowHow I I wonwonder der whatwhat to to dodo with with ConConnor”nor”

You can see that the stresses have You can see that the stresses have shifted.shifted.


Try a trochee couplet…Try a trochee couplet…

Go on, try…Go on, try…


Now…Now…Poetry based on these alone would be Poetry based on these alone would be pretty dull actually.pretty dull actually.

Let’s look again at the first example:Let’s look again at the first example:If If mumusic sic bebe the the foodfood of of lovelove, play , play on.on.

Does “play ON” sound odd?Does “play ON” sound odd?What happens if you say:; “PLAY on”?What happens if you say:; “PLAY on”?Is this still a line of Iambs?Is this still a line of Iambs?


If If mumusic sic bebe the the foodfood of of lovelove, play , play on.on.

If If mumusic sic bebe the the foodfood of of lovelove, , playplay on. on.

Shakespeare has slipped in a trochee to a Shakespeare has slipped in a trochee to a line of Iambs – cheeky devil.line of Iambs – cheeky devil.What separates the trochee from the iamb What separates the trochee from the iamb before it?before it?

The comma creates a breathing point and The comma creates a breathing point and allows the speaker to shift emphasis allows the speaker to shift emphasis easily. This break is called a easily. This break is called a CAESURACAESURA..


TaskTask4 lines of Iambic pentameter.4 lines of Iambic pentameter.4 lines of Iambic pentameter in which you 4 lines of Iambic pentameter in which you may use a trochee instead of an Iamb for may use a trochee instead of an Iamb for effect. You may well need a caesura (or a effect. You may well need a caesura (or a drink) to help.drink) to help.

Give it a go – treat it as a game and aim Give it a go – treat it as a game and aim for a high score.for a high score.For the really talented, an extra task:For the really talented, an extra task:4 lines alternating Iambic and Trochaic 4 lines alternating Iambic and Trochaic pentameter.pentameter.

poetic devices

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