StanzaStanza

Definition of StanzaDefinition of Stanza In poetry, a stanza is a unit within a larger poem. In poetry, a stanza is a unit within a larger poem.

Poems are generally written in closed form or Poems are generally written in closed form or open form.open form.

Closed form is where lines are equally arranged in Closed form is where lines are equally arranged in fixed patterns of stress and rhyme.fixed patterns of stress and rhyme.

Open form poetry uses lines of different length Open form poetry uses lines of different length and doesn’t use patterns of rhyme or rhythm.and doesn’t use patterns of rhyme or rhythm.

A stanza consists of a grouping of lines which is A stanza consists of a grouping of lines which is set off by a space, that usually has a set pattern set off by a space, that usually has a set pattern of meter and rhyme.of meter and rhyme.

Stanzas can be identified and grouped together Stanzas can be identified and grouped together because they share a rhyme scheme or a fixed because they share a rhyme scheme or a fixed number of lines such as in couplet, tercet, number of lines such as in couplet, tercet, quatrain, quintain, sestet. quatrain, quintain, sestet.

Names of StanzasNames of Stanzas Stanzas can be given a specific name depending Stanzas can be given a specific name depending

on their structure and rhyme pattern such as:on their structure and rhyme pattern such as: 2-lines = Couplet 2-lines = Couplet 3-lines = Tercet 3-lines = Tercet 4-lines = Quatrain 4-lines = Quatrain 5-lines = Quintain 5-lines = Quintain 6-lines = Sextain 6-lines = Sextain 7-lines = Septet 7-lines = Septet 8-lines = Octave 8-lines = Octave

What does Stanza do?What does Stanza do? The term stanza means “stopping place” in Italian. The term stanza means “stopping place” in Italian.

A stanza contains a set of lines in a poem which is A stanza contains a set of lines in a poem which is set apart from other sets of lines by space. The set apart from other sets of lines by space. The break/space between stanzas generally indicates break/space between stanzas generally indicates a pause between thoughts, concepts or actions.a pause between thoughts, concepts or actions.

Many poems are written without stanza breaks. Many poems are written without stanza breaks. These poems simply continue for however many These poems simply continue for however many lines the poem lasts. These poems can be called lines the poem lasts. These poems can be called single-stanza poems.single-stanza poems.

Stanzas provide structure and format within a Stanzas provide structure and format within a poem. Stanzas can make a poem more visually poem. Stanzas can make a poem more visually appealing, and poems can gain structure from the appealing, and poems can gain structure from the use of stanzas even without rhyme or meter.use of stanzas even without rhyme or meter.

Stanza in ReadingsStanza in Readings

Linda Pastan’s “Ethics” on p659 is an Linda Pastan’s “Ethics” on p659 is an example of single-stanza poem. example of single-stanza poem. There are no stanza breaks, and the There are no stanza breaks, and the line breaks follow a natural breathing line breaks follow a natural breathing or pausing pattern.or pausing pattern.

Stanza in ReadingsStanza in Readings We real cool. WeWe real cool. We

Left school. WeLeft school. We

Lurk late. WeLurk late. WeStrike straight. WeStrike straight. We

Sing sin. WeSing sin. WeThin gin. WeThin gin. We

Jazz June. WeJazz June. WeDie soon. Die soon.

The “We” at the end of each line is not for the purpose of rhyme, The “We” at the end of each line is not for the purpose of rhyme, but rhythm. "We Real Cool" has four stanzas, each of which is a but rhythm. "We Real Cool" has four stanzas, each of which is a two-line couplet. Every word in the poem has only one syllable. two-line couplet. Every word in the poem has only one syllable. While many traditional couplets in poetry have a rhyme at the end While many traditional couplets in poetry have a rhyme at the end of the line, this poem takes rhyming to a new level: the couplets of the line, this poem takes rhyming to a new level: the couplets rhyme in the middle. Such as "cool/school" in the first stanza, and rhyme in the middle. Such as "cool/school" in the first stanza, and "late/straight" in the second. "late/straight" in the second.

Your turn“Things” by Lisel MuellerWhat happened is, we grew lonelyLiving amoung the things,So we gave the clock a face,The chair a back,The table four stout legsWhich will never suffer fatigue.

We fitted our shoes with tonguesAs smooth as our ownAnd hung tongues inside bellsSo we could listenTo their emotional language,

And because we loved graceful profilesThe pitcher received a lip,The bottle a long, slender neck.

Even what was beyond usWas recast in our image;We gave the country a heart,The storm an eye,The cave a mouthSo we could pass into safety.

How many stanzas are in the poem?What are the names to each stanza?