Forms of Poetry: Ode, Elegy, Sonnet

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Forms of Poetry Ode, Elegy, Sonnet
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Ode

• Purpose to give praise to any single object or
  idea.
• Characteristics Can be any length and it does
  not have to rhyme.
• Example Ode to Enchanted Light, pg 848

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Elegy

• Purpose to help remember and praise a person who
  has died or another serious subject like war.
• Characteristics has a formal and serious tone
• Example She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways, pg
  850

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Sonnet

• Purpose to praise a loved one (usually) or is
  just about love
• Characteristics 14 lines that follow a specific
  rhyming pattern
• ABBAABBACDECDE
• ABBAABBACDCDCD
• Example Harriet Beecher Stowe, pg 853

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Harriet Beecher Stowe

• She told the story, and the whole world wept
  (A)
• At wrongs and cruelties it had not known
  (B)
• But for this fearless womans voice alone.
  (B)
• She spoke to the consciences that long had
  slept (A)
• Her message, Freedoms clear reveille, swept
  (A)
• From headless hovel to complacent throne.
  (B)
• Command and prophecy were in the tone
  (B)
• And from its sheath the sword of justice leapt
  (A)

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• Around two peoples swelled the fiery wave
  (C)
• But both came forth transfigured from the flame
  (D)
• Blest be the hand that dared be strong to save,
  (C)
• And blest be she who in our weakness came --
  (D) Prophet and priestess! At one
  stroke she gave (C)
• A race to freedom and herself to fame.
  (D)

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Epic

• Purpose to tell an inspiring story about a hero
• Characteristics very formal, usually has a lot
  of lines and stanzas.
• Example Invocation from John Browns Body, pg
  851