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Critical Analysis #1
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To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme
| Critical Analysis #1 |
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To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme |
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Marq Member
since 1999-10-18
Posts 222 |
And free verse has shown us what is possible with poetry. All the precise symbolic sounds, free and otherwise, that poets continue to use but never use up. Shakespeare, whoever he may have been, rhymed about as well as words can say. But Shakespeare butted ahead -- took more than his share. How are we to surpass or compare? Or did he leave us enough? Are there still sufficient rhymes to combine? And Shakespeare couldn't do it either! He didn't write free of himself and his own compostions. Plays and sonnets are not leaves of grass. On the other hand and the other half of several centuries later the good captain's crudity has filled a lot of library shelves as it too took a lifetime to learn. |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Marq: I found this interesting (and that is more than I can say about most poetry about poetry). I think you could tighten up the theme a little bit ... this should strengthen the argument you are setting forth. quote: I think this is a strong beginning. When I read this I was instantly curious as to whether you bit off more than you can chew. quote: I think this stanza needs some development. I would recommend that you either spend more time supporting the first line or write the poem in a more executive summary style, stating you conclusion first (as you do in the first two lines). In any event, I think the stanza should either be expanded, omitted or relocated. Just an opinion. quote: I like these lines. I understand the first couple of lines as referring to those who suggest that much or some of Shakespeare's works were actually written by deutero-Shakespeares (people who uses Shakespeare's name and notoriety to advance their own works). The second two lines cause me to laugh a bit. When I thought about it, Shakespeare DID make it difficult for those who followed him in many respects. quote: I found these lines a little choppy. One thing you seem to be inferring is that rhymes are a limited resource that rhyme-guzzlers like Shakespeare, in large part, exhausted and, THEREFORE, free-verse has some measure of superiority. At least insomuch as there is a better chance of writing something "new". quote: A more-or-less obvious reference to Whitman. I think, if you want this argument to be taken seriously, you will need to support this assertion a little better. You seem to be suggesting that the limiting structure of verse staunches the free, artistic expression of even Shakespeare. quote: So, in spite of Shakespeare's "failure", his works continue to stock library shelves in abundance. I like the irony but think you could stand to build the tension a little bit. Strengthen you case in regards to Shakespeare's "obvious" limitations before you muse at the irony of his great success (albeit post mortem success). Thanks for the read, Marq. I enjoyed it. Jim |
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Marq Member
since 1999-10-18
Posts 222 |
Thank you Jim, I appreciate your analysis, and have no disagreements about any of it except you seemed to miss the reference at the ending. 'The good captain's crudity' is also a reference to Walt Whitman rather than Shakepeare as Whitman wrote 'Oh Captain my Captain' which was about Abraham Lincoln but I take the liberty of projecting captainship onto him because of that poem. Ezra Pound was initially appalled by what he called Whitman's 'crudity' of style, though Pound later became reconiled to Whitman's talent. Thus: 'the good captain's crudity'. I think the majority of the writer's of poetry will always prefer free verse to rhyme because of the precision it affords and the extreme annoyance most poets find in contrived rhyme. The sad irony is most non-poets seem to prefer rhyme. Thank you again! |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Marq: I didn't miss the allusion to "captain my captain" ... exactly, any way. I never read Ezra Pound's criticism of Whitman and, therefore, it was the reference to "crudity" rather than to "captain" that was lost to me. But as long as I learn something new everyday, then who am I to complain.  quote: Why do you think this is? I think rhyme is probably the easiest "sound" of poetry to discern. Alliteration, assonance, meter, hard and soft consonants, long and short vowels, et. al. are, by far, more subtle poetic tools (with the possible exception of alliteration). I don't think people unfamiliar with poetry necessarily have bad reactions to free-verse ... rather, I think they have more of an "I didn't realize this is poetry" reaction. But I like [well-executed] rhyme. Jim |
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Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Jim, When was the last time you heard someone say, "I didn't realize this was poetry"? What they say is "This isn't poetry." Everybody, already, has an opinion. Everybody's already a critic but very few want to explain what they mean. But you already knew that. Marq, Try get back to this later. A little busy at the moment. Brad |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Brad: Have anyone specific in mind? Actually, I think you are probably confusing those with the biggest mouths with the majority. Most, I think, are not so strong in their opinions that they would adamantly say, "This is not poetry!" I would suggest that those who do so are misguided and, in any event, unable to defend the presuppositions that "bolster" their argument. To avoid embarrassment, I think those you describe allow the old saying to ring true: "It is easier to accept an old error than a new truth" or the more recent, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made." A shameless plug, I know. Again, I think the silent majority is pleasantly surprised to discover that "Beowulf" is verse and that there is more to poetry than Shakespeare and Mother Goose. More later. Jim |
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sexyILN Junior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 29 |
I think the reason people in general like rhyme better than free verse, is that the sounds flow off the tongue, and the poem sounds more "organized". Unfortunatly, what most people don't realize, is that good rhyme is really hard to do. Marq, I liked your poem. But, yeah, that thing what he said! ...peace as a primary goal, is dangerous because it implies that you will sacrifice any principle for the sake of it.... Robert Kaplan |
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