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Critical Analysis #1
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Writing the Sonnet (for Not A Poet)
| Critical Analysis #1 |
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Writing the Sonnet (for Not A Poet) |
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Ted Reynolds Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 331 |
SMASH the readers' calm with the first word, Continue firmly with well-chosen speech From which the strong impression is inferred That you have something vital meant for each. The second quatrain you relax the reins And let the gentler music softly flow. If flowers, birds, and moons will sooth their brains It surely would be best to add them now. But then, before they've time to figure out Just where you're at, you change the plot again, And add some lines of reason, lest they doubt That you do have a subject to maintain. For closing, break a challenge in their ears That brings them shouting to their feet with CHEERS. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Ted Reynolds - All Rights Reserved | |||
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warmhrt Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563 |
Cheers to you, Ted...very nice, and such a perfect description...this should be added to the workshop when sonnets are the assignment to give potential sonneteers a good idea of the arrangement of content. Actually, I did not even know this, though I've written a few sonnets. Great work, Ted. I'm sure Pete will appreciate it. Kris the poet's pen...gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name ~ Shakespeare |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Ted, This is great. Sorry to be so slow responding but have been in hospital. Looks like bypass surgery tomorrow. They did let me have a few minutes on the computer so here I am, briefly. Miss you guys a lot and hope to be back on line soon. ~hugs and kissis to all~ Pete What terms shall I find sufficiently simple in their sublimity -- sufficiently sublime in their simplicity -- for the mere enunciation of my theme? Edgar Allan Poe |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Pete: I'll pass the word on. Prayers are with you, my friend, for a speedy recovery. Jim P.S. Ted, I like what you've done but don't have the time to take a closer look now. Hope to be back later. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Pete, (((((HUGS))))) Get well soon. You're in my prayers.  Ted, with my little knowlegde of sonnets this looks very good to me. Perfect rhyme scheme, perfect meter, expect for line one. I count 9 syllables, but maybe that's because I'm Dutch and pronounce things a little different.  Let's see what the sonnet expert says.  Yes Kris, I think you are right. This would be great to post in the Poetry Workshop. I think Nan will post soon we're doing sonnets.  Really enjoyed it Ted. [This message has been edited by Munda (edited 04-26-2000).] |
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Ted Reynolds Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 331 |
I'm usually not a syllable counter, Munda, but a stress counter. Nine syllables in the first line, but SMASH the READers CALM with the FIRST WORD, has five stresses, like other lines. (The intensity of "SMASH" swallowed up a minor syllable, I guess.) I wouldn't mind having this posted in the workshop, Kris and Munda; I visited only once for a couple of minutes, but they were all throwing spitballs at each other, and it looked more salivic than serious. But I hope you realize that this one is sort of tongue-in-cheek, a self-referential spoof. Maybe you shouldn't copy its suggestions too literally for your own sonnets. Anyway, (from Kipling) "There are nine-and-ninety ways Of constructing tribal lays, And every single one of them is right!" |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Hey guys, I survived the knife but don't get much computer time yet. So just stopped in to say hello. Will check beck soon. Munda, thanks for the hugs. That really felt good. Pete |
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