Gianna and Manav - ODE POETRY
In the realm of poetry, an ode is a lyrical piece written in order to honor someone, some place or something. It is usually concise and not very long. The word ode is derived from the Greek word oide (ᾠδή) which translates to “chanting” or “singing.” Likewise, an ode is very lyrical. Originally, Greek odes were accompanied by music. Odes are directly addressing the thing it is honoring through figurative language and glorification. In odes, it is common to use personification, extended metaphors, and celebratory language in order to express the poem’s themes and messages.
There are three kinds of odes: Pindaric ode, Horatian ode, and irregular ode.
In the realm of poetry, an ode is a lyrical piece written in order to honor someone, some place or something. It is usually concise and not very long. The word ode is derived from the Greek word oide (ᾠδή) which translates to “chanting” or “singing.” Likewise, an ode is very lyrical. Originally, Greek odes were accompanied by music. Odes are directly addressing the thing it is honoring through figurative language and glorification. In odes, it is common to use personification, extended metaphors, and celebratory language in order to express the poem’s themes and messages.
There are three kinds of odes: Pindaric ode, Horatian ode, and irregular ode.
The Pindaric and Horatian odes are named after the Greek poets whose styles they embody: Pindaric after the Greek poet Pindar and Horatian after the Latin poet Horace. Pindaric odes contain three types of distinct structures: strophe, antistrophe and the final stanza as epode.
- A strophe means that in the poem, two or more lines are repeated together.
- An antistrophe simply means the second division of the poem.
- An epode is then used to conclude the ode, which is a line summarizing the topic.
The Horatian ode, in contrast to the formal Pindaric ode, is written with a more intimate and contemplative tone. Horatian odes are homostrophic odes, meaning that every stanzas in the ode uses identical structure, rhyme, and meter throughout the poem.
Lastly, the irregular ode is true to its name: it does not have any specific rhyme scheme or structure, giving the author flexibility in terms of topic and word choice. Though the irregular ode does not have any specific requirements to its form and structure, the meaning of the ode has to stay true to its definition.
Below are two examples of poetry that are polar opposites of one another in tone, rhyme scheme, structure, and emotion, yet these two poems are both considered to be odes. One is seen to be proper while the other has a fun and upbeat tone, however, they both possess the qualities of an ode.
Below are two examples of poetry that are polar opposites of one another in tone, rhyme scheme, structure, and emotion, yet these two poems are both considered to be odes. One is seen to be proper while the other has a fun and upbeat tone, however, they both possess the qualities of an ode.
In Ode to a Nightingale, which was published in 1819, has the same rhyme scheme throughout the poem which is ABAB CDE CDE and though is not a perfect Horatian ode, this piece inhibits the qualities of a Horatian ode. This ode is an example of how odes are able to inspect deep sentiments in a literary form along with honoring one idea through metaphor.
On the other hand, deep sentiment is not always the main signifier of an ode, the glorification is. In Ode to Fetty Wap, which was written in 2018, Marsh does not have death as a main focus, however, imagination and thought do come into play in the ode through the narrator’s dedication to Fetty Wap.
Ode to a Nightingale by John Keats
An Ode to Fetty Wap by Roya Marsh
In Ode to Fetty Wap, praise is shown in these lines; “then the Rap Gawd made a woman/ from the eye he had taken out of the man./ the creation story of Fetty/ the first trap rapper to make a song/ I might play at my wedding” (lines 13-17). The narrator expresses the adoration they have for Fetty Wap’s song to the point where they may play the song at their wedding. This celebratory phrase allows the purpose of the ode to reveal itself.
In Ode to Nightingale, the metaphor of the Nightingale expresses the purpose of the poem to be hidden within the nightingale. Within the poem this line speaks volumes; “Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!” (line 63). Keats explores the idea that humans, unlike nightingales who live forever through their songs, are mortal. Later in the poem, the inevitability of death settles within the narrator through the narrator’s perception of the nightingale. This dedication is to the nightingale for opening his eyes to death.
Ultimately, ode poetry has had a rich history that has changed meaning from “chat” to “celebration,” however, the internal reflection one needs to take is still required for the process. Throughout the years, some of the most famous odes were written by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats and with these poets, they created a path for modern writers to express internal thought within their poetry. The ode is significant in literature because of its romantic nature. In the 18th and 19th centuries, odes were a way of conveying victory and adoration and because they allow the author to deliver their deepest sentiments, odes are a crucial element of literature. The most well known odes are written by poets from the 18th and 19th century, however, ode poetry is still relevant to everyday writing.
Everyday as individuals we reflect on our lives. We reflect on the day we had, our friends, our family, our pets, our meals, etc. and with these reflections, comes gratification and appreciation. Ode poetry is that key that unlocks our need for internal glorification and imagination in order to reflect and celebrate the things we love and accept.
Anjali and Azhar - ELEGIAC POETRY
Elegiac poetry started in ancient Greece as a poetic form that incorporated meter, and is traditionally written after the loss of an individual or group. In most cases, elegies serve the purpose of mourning the death of a loved one. However, they can be about different feelings of melancholy, a sense of loss, or even about a life well-lived (a celebration of sorts), as opposed to only focusing on death. These key components of traditional elegies are considered to be the three stages of loss. It starts with the speaker expressing grief and melancholy, followed by admiration of the dead, and finally leading to comfort with the reality of their absence. This is the standard format of an elegy poem, though some may differ.
“O Captain! My Captain!” is an elegy written by Walt Whitman in 1865 in honor of Abraham Lincoln. First published in the pamphlet Sequel to Drum-Taps, a series of 18 poems addressing the Civil War, this elegy was written to commemorate Lincoln’s assasination. This particular poem of Whitman’s soon became his most renowned poem as the despair brought forth in this poem united the nation and its people in this period of grief.
“O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman
The entire poem represents an extended metaphor, consisting of comparing President Lincoln to that of a captain of a ship, the United States to the ship, with lastly, the Civil War representing the voyage.
Whitman brings forth the two ideas of victory and loss, juggling the two closely intertwined concepts as seen in the first stanza. These opening lines follow the common pattern of AABB, along with an iambic pattern. Beginning with a joyful tone, the two initial couplets of the poem accentuate the victory surrounding the war and its end. However, this joyful remainder of the victory is shattered in lines 4-8, when the reader and the nation is once again reminded of the deaths that surround the war, all the lives lost, the most haunting death being that of President Lincoln’s, our captain. This juxtaposition between victory and loss is highlighted through the tone and language of the poem. The speaker initially mentions the “prize we sought is won” to breaking off into “But O heart! heart! Heart!” speaking of the “the bleeding drops of red.” This sudden transition deepens the pain and agony of the people, bonding the victory to the inevitable death involved alongside it.
In the second stanza, the repetition of the word “you” : “for you the flag is flung”—for you the bugle thrills, For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,” addresses the words to Lincoln, further spotlighting his absence during this prime time of victory. It also showcases the irony present there in that the individual who led the war and aided in the victory is not here to celebrate with us. The ringing bells, bouquets and ribbon wreaths with crowds cheering and screaming were all for you, Abraham Lincoln, but he is not present with us to see it. The imagery of these joyous scenarios again juxtapose the upcoming mention of death as his “cold and dead” body are underlined.
The reader also contemplates the speaker’s relationship with their words; the speaker not only compares Lincoln to the captain of the ship, but refers to President Lincoln as “my” captain, emphasizing their own personal connection. In my opinion, what makes this elegy so unique is how it is not only the grief and pain of the nation that is captured, but the one personal attachment Whitman had to the President, two different groups mourning the same death within one poem. Along with that, unlike most other common elegies, Whitman alternates between mourning and praising the Captain, mourning his death, praising his victory, in a repeated cycle.
Elegies suffer as a more personal, intimate poem compared to others. The assasination of Abraham Lincoln struck Walt Whitman and many others as a loss of one of their own. It is through forms of poetry such as this one that private feelings are brought out, and many are brought together in this time of sadness.
“O Captain! My Captain!” by Nadia Nasir - Poetry Out Loud
“O Captain! My Captain!” - Dead Poets Society
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64SctPKmqk
The 1700s brought the rise of the elegiac stanza, although use of the elegiac stanza has not been limited to elegies only. The older, widely-used term for this type of stanza was heroic stanza, but it became associated with elegies after Thomas Gray used it in his poem, “An Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard” in 1751. It is a quatrain written in iambic pentameter with the ABAB rhyme scheme. The elegiac stanza is usually used at the start of a poem, as shown below.
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,
The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea,
The plowman homeward plods his weary way,
And leaves the world to darkness and to me.
The stanza above is the first stanza of Thomas Gray’s, “An Elegy Written in a Country Church Yard.” The stanza follows the ABAB rhyme scheme and fits the meters of iambic pentameter, satisfying the requirements of an elegiac stanza. Gray starts the stanza off with a metaphor in the first line, comparing the end of day to the end of a life. Curfew, symbolic of the day ending, is associated with a knell, which is a bell rang to announce a death. He then uses the next two lines to remove all other factors in the scene he creates, only leaving him and the darkness, which he must share the world with. He continues to use elegiac stanzas for the rest of the poem, drifting away from the now-norm to only use an elegiac stanza at the start of an elegy.
The rest of the elegy can be viewed below:
In this elegy, the speaker finds himself in a cemetery, or “churchyard”, looking at the gravestones of the townspeople that have passed. He begins imagining the type of lives each of these individuals might have lived, and realizes that due to their poverty, their tombstones are pretty simple. However, he acknowledges that it doesn’t matter how extravagant your tombstone is when you’re dead. This acknowledgment leads to a realization that he himself will die, which then leads to him imagining someone else in the future in his place, roaming the cemetery and coming across his gravestone. He ends the elegy with an epitaph for himself. Throughout the poem, Gray writes on the lives of those that are dead; initially, he writes about the individuals whose tombstones he comes across in the cemetery, and towards the end, he writes on his own death, in the perspective of others visiting the cemetery after his time has passed.
Essentially, elegies have provided a blank canvas for not just poets, but individuals of all backgrounds to write for those who are gone. Whether it be a piece of mourning, celebration, or comfort, elegies allow individuals to reflect on the absence of someone they considered worth writing for.
Arefah and Harsh - PRAISE SONG POETRY
Praise songs, or commonly referred to as praise poetry, is one of the more widely and accepted forms of poetry that was used primarily in Africa. As its literal meaning, praise poetry is used to praise chiefs, kings, gods, men, animals and even plants for their heroic and valiant efforts/contributions for the greater good. For most cases, praise songs act as reminders for those making such contributions to continue doing good for the community they represent. Praise poetry, although commonly used to boast the achievements of royal figures, ordinary men and women can be subjects of a praise song as well.
Praise poems can commend any person for his skills or personality. In “The Warrior’s Homecoming”, the women of the village give praise to the warrior that has returned back to them. The warrior, Agyei, is a surname common in Ghana, especially among the Akan people. The women sing, celebrating for his triumphant return, as he is carried through the village on the shoulders of the men. Being a warrior is much more than combat, as he is strong and does not give up easily. Agyei is commended for his purpose in life to serve and protect as well as his courage to face death, not knowing whether or not he will return.
The Warrior’s Homecoming
translated by K. Nketia
‘Akan Poetry’
from Black Orpheus 3 (May 1958)
He is coming, he is coming,
Treading along on camel blanket in triumph.
Yes, stranger, we are bestirring ourselves.
Agyei the warrior is drunk,
The green mamba with fearful eyes.
Yes, Agyei the warrior,
He is treading along on camel blanket in triumph:
Make way for him.
He is coming, he is coming,
Treading along on sandals.
Yes, stranger, we are bestirring ourselves.
Adum Agyei is drunk,
The green mamba, Afaafa Adu.
Yes, Agyei the warrior,
He is treading along on camel blanket in triumph:
Make way for him.
In the poem above, there is repetition that is used all throughout. The first and third stanza repeat, “He is coming, he is coming,” anticipating the return of a warrior who has been gone for some time now. Although he is a stranger to them, it is their village that he serves and they are making an effort to commemorate his sacrifice and valiant effort. Along with the repetition, the italics and indentation of the second and final stanza reinforces that they are chanting to make way for the warrior and make him feel welcome.
To emphasize that ordinary men and women can be the subject of praise poetry, William Butler Yeats’s poem, “A Drunken Man’s Praise of Sobriety” discusses the different drunken experiences that people have. The poet invites you to join his company and keep him from losing sight of reality and becoming a drunk man. He gives praise to the sobriety that he so he dearly desires.
A Drunken Man’s Praise of Sobriety
William Butler Yeats
COME swish around, my pretty punk,
And keep me dancing still
That I may stay a sober man
Although I drink my fill.
Sobriety is a jewel
That I do much adore;
And therefore keep me dancing
Though drunkards lie and snore.
O mind your feet, O mind your feet,
Keep dancing like a wave,
And under every dancer
A dead man in his grave.
No ups and downs, my pretty,
A mermaid, not a punk;
A drunkard is a dead man,
And all dead men are drunk.
To be “drunk” means to be intoxicated, whether it be with love, power, or even alcohol in the literal sense. Yeats compares sobriety as a jewel, precious and of value meanwhile, “A drunkard is a dead man”. With the constant repetition that being drunk is the equivalent to being dead, Yeats gives praise for sobriety. He highlights with his imagery and tone, the dangers of being inebriated and the detachment from your sense of reality. “Drunk” people are not able to see the true beauty of life as they are unhinged.
Praise poetry can also be used to highlight a leader’s inability to carry out tasks as he/she should. Choosing this form, allows a praise poet to expose said person and put them into the public light in hopes that he/she will change and help benefit the community. A primary example of such praise poetry is seen in the following poem entitled “The Abdication”. In this, the poet is criticizing Sini, who was the wife King Tumi Taki, who overthrew him and made her new lover (King Sisi) the new King. Sisi was given the crown on the condition that he abandon his lover and devote his time to serving the people, which he refused to do. His refusal questioned his leadership traits and therefore lost the support and the trust of the people in his kingdom.
The Abdication
SINI
After the death of Gamma Kegocci,
Tumi Taki has left me empty-handed.
There are cows full of milk,
But he never instructs the people to milk them.
There are beehives full of honey,
But he never instructs the people to empty them.
There are oxen ready for ploughing,
But he never orders the people to harness them.
He has become just like a commoner!
He has become just like a medium!
Since he has become king
Sorghum does not grow:
Since he has become king
Cows do not give milk:
Since he has become king
The royal trumpet is hardly blown.
I am surrounded by weeds,
I am surrounded by maskal flowers.
Let Sisiti become king,
Let Sisiti become king
And make the country greater!
The kingship would be in good hands with him.
SISI
Your figure is pleasing
Like the fat tail of a sheep:
The sight of your hips is pleasing,
The gums of your teeth are pleasing,
Like the fat tail of a sheep.
My lady, who gives me butter,
My lady, who dresses so well,
My lady, who wears colourful garb,
My lady, who wears fine cloth,
Do you ask me to leave her?
Do you ask me to lose my love?
Would that you lose your oxen grazing in pasture!
Would that your oxen leave their stalls!
Would that your cows leave their stalls!
Would that your barley leave your fields!
Would that your teff grains leave your fields!
In this example of praise poetry, it is important to note a repetitive order that is used to emphasize a certain point. Praise poetry utilizes repetition as it’s most effective in getting a point across. In the first portion of the poem, the praise poet uses “But he never” to highlight certain orders that Sisi has failed to enforce as the newly crowned leader, in which blame is given to Sini for having recommended him for the position in the first place. The repetition of “since he has become king” is effective in highlighting how once positive attributes in the kingdom have now turned into negative changes as a result of his leadership. In the latter half of the poem, which is now focusing on Sisi’s reluctance to abandon his lover, a similar pattern of repetition is present. His adding of “my lady, who” shows the dependency that Sisi has on Sini with all that she provides for him. It is this very impact that blinds Sisi from carrying out his duties as a leader. Lastly, Sisi’s mentioning of “would that your” is meant to try and reach the hearts of those criticizing him by asking what they would do if they were put into such a situation if something they cherish and love were to be stripped from them.
Arguably one of the most powerful mediums in poetry, praise songs are intended to ultimately enact change. Its purpose is rooted in a poet’s desire to celebrate the accomplishments of a figure which ultimately boosts morale. In other times, poet’s are hoping to highlight changes that could be made in order to ensure stability in societies similar to the one mentioned in “The Abdication”.
Links:
Discussion Questions:
- Gianna’s DQ: How does imagination (internal thought) and reality work together to create a stream of consciousness in ode poetry, especially in the poem Ode to a Nightingale
- Manav’s DQ: How are odes similar to other styles of poetry? How does it differ? Use the two odes posted above to show similar and differing characteristics.
- Azhar’s DQ: An elegiac stanza has four lines written in iambic pentameter with an alternative rhyme scheme (ABAB). Attempt to write an elegiac stanza that someone might write about you, 100 years from now.
- Anjali’s DQ: Out of the three variations of poems —odes, elegies, and praise songs— think about which one you would want to have written about you and why. Explain what you think would be included, and why this particular form stood out to you.
- Arefah’s DQ: Given that praise poetry commends accomplishments with its carefully selected language, do you think the rap genre (which typically has lyrics reflecting on an underrepresented group) has the same effect?
- Harsh’s DQ: Granted that 2 of the 3 examples of praise poetry are centered around praising ordinary figures like ordinary men and women, and the third example is praising one’s inability to keep up with ordinance, are there any parallels (specifically in the delivery of the poem) being drawn from the 3 examples? Are there examples that you have read outside or inside class that follow a similar delivery pattern?
I think it definitely has the same effect. When I read “The Warrior’s Homecoming”, I imagined the village people chanting the poetry together. Where else do we see people chanting and singing together? Concerts. This comparison goes for any musical concert, but the question addressed the rap genre in particular. In any concert, the audience is celebrating the music and the musician. With rap, if the lyrics are reflecting an underrepresented group, then the audience would also be celebrating that underrepresented group and the accomplishments that they have made. I think the power of praise poetry and music (through concerts) is the group aspect. By reading the poem and singing the song with people who have the same beliefs as you, it makes the experience all the more emotional and inspirational. You would walk away from the experience with a stronger respect for the person or people that are being honored in the poem or song.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Question #5
DeleteHi Paul!
DeleteI agree that rap has the same effect as praise poetry because both genres are about honoring someone/something. I think you make a good comparison of village people chanting and people singing at a concert. I agree that there is an aspect of solidarity in listening to rap music that praises someone. Lastly, I agree that since rap represents a minority group, there is lots of emotion and power.
Hello Paul!
DeleteYour response interested me a lot. I really liked your example of the "The Warrior's Homecoming" in which you then compared the chanting of the villagers to those of concert-goers and the similarity between praise poetry and the rap genre. I very much agree that the aspect of the group within rap and praise poetry allows for a deeper and more meaningful experience, as in both cases, people are reflecting and valuing underrepresented groups, and therefore share similar values. It goes to show how powerful both these forms are and how they can be used to promote certain messages.
I strongly and wholeheartedly believe that the rap genre does commend accomplishments in a similar vein to praise poetry. Take for example the world-renowned rapper Eminem. The man has succumbed to and then overcome drug addiction, living to tell his story through his music. The song “Going Through Changes” is about his struggles with drug addiction and overcoming them. He praises himself for overcoming his thoughts of wanting to leave the world and his dominance over the idea that he needed drugs to be happy in life. Sure, praising yourself may seem egotistic or self-centered, that point of view is understandable, but I believe Eminem earns it here and remains a perfect example of how the rap genre has the same effect as praise poetry.
ReplyDeleteI also answered this question, but focused on how rappers praise groups and both historical and current figures that they feel deserve to be recognized for their efforts and accomplishments towards achieving different goals. When I read the question, the concept of a rapper praising him or herself did not come to mind, so when I read your response I found it to be an interesting analysis. I agree that some people could find self-praise to be egotistical, but I personally do not find it to be in this case. Eminem is simply telling a story, his story, about how he overcame something that was affecting him and his own life, and how he was able to channel his thoughts and urges and change his life for the better. In a sense, the “new” him became a hero for the “old” him, saving him from continuing to travel the dangerous path he was on, and in situations like this, only the individual themself can be rewarded for their own efforts towards helping themselves.
DeleteI too answered question 5. However, your take is certainly a great example of a rapper who could be more closely related to the effect praise poetry has. However, I was thinking of the entire rap genre in general, and though there are certainly many artists who fit the praise poem effect, I don't see it as often with the hip-hop recently. The hard life stories of the past seem more to show what kids want to stay away from and grow out of, rather than praise the life. After reading your response, however, I realize that these stories can be taken in the context Sana mentioned, where an example like Eminem can be praise for those who have already made it out.
Delete4. Anjali’s DQ: Out of the three variations of poems —odes, elegies, and praise songs— think about which one you would want to have written about you and why. Explain what you think would be included, and why this particular form stood out to you.
ReplyDeleteOut of the three genres, I would want an elegy written about me. I think the praise songs and the odes have a special place for celebration, but the power of the elegy is appealing to me. The repetition of the elegy makes it hard to forget these particular form. In particular, the "Oh Captain! My Captain!" form by Whitman has stood with me for many years. I remember watching Dead Poet's Society years ago, and this form of poetry is still relevant, and holds influence. I actually did not realize, when I first heard this poem, that it was about Abraham Lincoln. However, in the film, it is evident that the elegy united the boys at the school, and that it was a very musical, emotional form of writing and speech. This bares a striking resemblance to what group 5 has explained about the unity in the United States that this poem brought after Lincoln's assassination. I understand why it is Whitman's most famous poem. The elegy uses literary imagery to describe something through metaphor, such as a captain and a ship. The extended metaphor, as described by the group (comparing Lincoln to the captain, the ship to the US, and the voyage to the Civil War), gives readers and listeners a personal connection. The elegy is more intimate and personal than the praise form or the ode, and this is why I enjoy it most. The idea of the intertwining of victory and loss, also can extent to various situations, as the ideas of life and death, can be described and related to all who are alive. The AABB iambic pattern is also catchy and memorable. Overall, this poem, like other elegies, gives an intimate tone and is passionate. It gives direction and a call to action/memory to a person and an event. The structure of this poem makes it more emotional and is why I would prefer it over the others. It is a serious reflection, and therefore is a very moving form and memorable. The sense of loss and longing, also adds to the personal connection, because many people can relate to melancholic longing. Because it is a mourning poem, it can also be cathartic in a way that other poems are not.
I really enjoyed this presentation by group 5! It was really interesting and opened my eyes to other forms of poetry and background history on famous poems I hadn't known.
The writers and creators of Dead Poet's Society must've shared the same opinion as you and many others on elegies. The first time i heard "O Captain, My Captain" was from the movie. It has to be the most memorable scene in the film because of the very nature of elegies. It is able to bring the boys in the scene together to honor Professor Keating, and it is able to bring all the viewers together to remember the movie and the theme of the movie.
Delete2. Odes are similar to other styles of poetry because they contain personification and metaphors. Odes are similar to lyric poems because they are about deep emotions and can be sung. Odes are different from other styles of poetry because they honor someone/something and include a direct address. Ode to a Nightingale features lots of imagery involving nature and mythology and the lines start with exclamations. On the other hand, the Ode to Fetty Wap features “a reading from the book of Willie Maxwell” which echoes something about the 4 gospel writers. The lines in this poem are shorter but also feature some exclamations.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Gessner
DeleteHi Hannah, I would like to say that your response was well worded and thought out and I agree with majority of your points in that the similiarities between Odes and other poems involve the lyric nature of them and the gravity of the emotional context. Secondly, the use of imagery is a commonly used facet in poetry which Odes do carry that tradition as shown in Nightingale
Hi! I agree with the points you made how there are similarities with odes and poems and i like the way you made your point, the example you used was definitely great use for this context. You can definitely see the point you between the Ode to Fetty Wap and Ode to a Nightingale.
DeleteMatthew Gessner
ReplyDeleteHe is coming, he is coming,
Treading along on camel blanket in triumph.
Yes, stranger, we are bestirring ourselves.
Agyei the warrior is drunk,
The green mamba with fearful eyes.
Question 1: for my response to question one I would like to use The Warrior's Homecoming because I think it does a lot of justice in regards to the idea of internal thought being a facet of this style of poetry. In an Ode it is musical by nature, short, and almost idealistic in the respect that it gives a perspective of that society's nordic viewpoint on whatever that piece is referring too. In this piece we can see the idealisms of the nordic hero almost fantisized about in that when they come home it is this big heroic return and they are celebrated for their percieved hero qualities. The piece accomplishes the weight of the moralistic views in a short context that appears to be almost metaphorically expanded in which we could infer many of that societies heroic qualities.
Q5) I think the rap genre has a lot of parallels with praise poetry, especially when it comes to songs that give tribute to underrepresented groups and praise individuals who fought to reduce injustices towards certain groups and promote positive change. Oftentimes in rap songs, rappers tell a story of these people and different events using a series of specific words that evoke certain images in the mind of the listener, and praise poetry seems to do that as well, but through descriptive writing in place of a concert performance. Either way, the intended impact is the same - for the audience to appreciate the accomplishments of the person or group that is being praised. Personally, I think that rap is very successful in achieving this impact through this medium because many rappers have such a large following and their words can reach such a large audience, as well as the fact that the words are rapped over catchy beats that can also be used to set a particular mood or tone to the what is being said.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting perspective. I totally agree with your comment. Nowadays, rap, out of most songs, is typically the type of music to have the most in common with praise poetry. Some of the most famous rappers I know have started from a low point in their life and eventually climbed the ladder to success. They typically voice their accomplishments through their music for people to appreciate, like you said. The status and success they have gained just goes to show how similar rap is with praise poetry.
Delete4) If I had a poem written about me I would like it to be and ode. As you said, ode's are not always meant for deep sentiments, but sometimes used for glorification. To me that seems very interesting and a good way to be remembered. I also appreciate the fact that odes along with many other types of poetry use tons of figurative language to speak about the subject. What is also interesting is that it can be sung. A song to glorify me sounds great to me. If I were to get into the specific types of odes, I would have to go with irregular odes. The feeling of not having to rhyme words and just create a poem seems better to be because I always struggle with making rhyme schemes and would rather just write what I like.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a great benefit in not having to conform to any strict guidelines when writing something. It gives you both the creative freedom to write how you wish, but also the ability to create something more interesting as a result. Poetry is more organic, if done in this way. If it’s organic, it’s more real, and thus, easier to get yourself into as a reader. I often find myself struggling to relate to sonnets from the 17th Century, but when I look at more “freestyle” works, the relatability factor increases substantially. Not feeling like you have to filter your words through a rhyme scheme is liberating on its own, and it really let’s you say what you’re meaning to say from the heart; rather than speaking in tongues to maintain a rhyming structure.
Delete4) The variation that stood out the most to me was ode poetry. I believe in the purpose of odes, that being to honor and glorify either a person, place, or thing. I think it is lovely that poets use figurative language such as personification and metaphor to describe a subject that has such a deep meaning to them. I think the appreciation that the author possesses for the subject allows for passionate and expressive writing, which in my personal opinion, make a poem cross the threshold of a good to an outstanding poem. This is why I would like to have an irregular ode written about me. As stated in the presentation, an irregular ode allows the creator more flexibility in regard to word choice. Within this irregular ode, I would want figurative language, especially metaphors, to describe my unique qualities, such as my laugh. I think when a writer describes the subject’s more unique qualities, it provides a more intimate and personal description of the subject to the reader. If the author were to use basic qualities that many possess, a more surface-level image of the subject would be created, which somewhat defeats the purpose of an ode. In the poem, Ode to Fetty Wap, Roya Marsh uses very descriptive language to describe Fetty Wap and his musical creations such as his music video. She writes, “Fetty, you got me-/ I, too, see heaven/ peering through/ the pearly-hearted gate smile/ of that gap-toothed princess/ in your video.” Marsh uses descriptive language to describe the unique qualities of Fetty Wap’s music video such as “of that gap-toothed princess.” This line stood out to me because of it’s description of a unique quality, which is why I would want an ode about me to include that as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion on irregular odes! I think that there is certainly a layer of beauty in the flexibility that this style allows, and this style definitely enables for more individualized description through metaphors about someone's unique qualities (as you mentioned in your comment). I think that, overall, the inclusion of Ode to Fetty Wap in the presentation was also a great way to make odes more fun and understandable for us as a generation - I like how you include the descriptive language from that poem in your comment in order to strengthen your argument about the positive features of ode poetry!
DeleteIn Ode to a Nightingale, the Speaker walks us through an ever-changing landscape, which seems to complement their current emotional state. In the first stanza, the Speaker’s heart is aching, and is jealous of others happiness in their melancholy. They even make the normally beautiful forest seem gloomy. The numberless shadows fill the forest floor, and the Dryad’s singing is something to be suspicious of (a melodious plot). This type of emotional overcast continues on. In the third stanza, the Speakers leaves the forest and goes into a memento mori moment. The sad gray-haired men have never known the leaves of the forest. This could be an image for fertility (as in, offspring), or it could simply be that their glory days are over; and they’re all groaning at each other, waiting for death. This could be indicative of a Speaker who is regretting their life, looking back at it, and seeing nothing but a loveless sorrowful existence. After this, the Speaker flies away on the viewless wings of Poesy (fine art). This is where the idea of imagination and internal thought come into play in the poem. This is their escape, their retrieve if you will, from the apparent bleak sorrowfulness of their life.
ReplyDelete5. I think that praise poetry and rap music do have very similar effects - especially in rap music that reflects some sort of higher power or God. Rap music has been used, not only to reflect the beliefs of underrepresented groups, but also as a way for artists to praise those who have come before them - the people who have not only helped different groups of people improve, but also the people that proved to be large influences on the rap genre as a whole. Rap songs will often tell a story, whether it be about themselves or about someone else, praising the actions that people have done (or praising themselves for reaching where they are today), which seems to be similar to what praise poetry is doing. While I think the effect can be different in certain scenarios, and while the rap genre as a whole might not completely reflect the same goal as praise poetry (some rap songs are in fact just about sex or drugs or money), there is a lot of rap music out there that can still have the same effect as praise poetry does, just on a wider scale.
ReplyDelete5. I believe the rap genre can have a somewhat similar effect in terms of commending accomplishments with specific language. However, I believe that modern rap has shifted towards a different route in which it has less commended people, and more almost bragged about their own personal lifestyles. As the genre continues to expand and perhaps even grow even further, I see less of commendation and more about partying, hard lives, or painful situations, events, or times. Though it is certainly possible to rap in a commending way like that of praise poems, I see something different in the current trends of the genre. Perhaps a genre like R&B or soul would fit better with a praise poem, which the poem “SISI” reminded me of.
ReplyDeleteI agree the point you made about modern rap. If you listen to old school rap and compare it with modern rap, there is a drastic change in the theme. There is still a few artist that incorporate commending accomplishments. However, I also believe with trend of raps being more about partying, hard lives, etc. becoming more common.
Delete4. I personally would like for someone to write about me in the form of an elegy. I think elegies are a form of respect for someone who's passed and to write something with such deep meaning and reflection to lament someone who's passed I think goes together really well. If an elegy were to be written about me I'm sure one thing that would be included would be about how I always view life optimistically as possible. I would always keep moving forward and have as much fun as I can. I'm sure something about me being a magician would always be thrown out there since I can live or go out my house without a deck of cards. Elegies personally strike me because of the sense of respect they give off to the person the elegy is devoted to. I think the deceased should always be treated with a high level of respect and writing an elegy for/about them is a powerful way to do so.
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ReplyDeleteHow I wish I could see you one more time.
I can't help but think of you ev'ryday.
That laugh of yours is nothing but divine.
It's hard to come to realize you're away.
Oops forgot my name. ^^^
DeleteIT'S NUMBER 3 oooooops
Delete1. In Ode to a Nightingale, imagination and reality work together to create a stream of consciousness as the poem draws comparisons between agony and joy and between life and death. In sadness, the narrator tries to seek comfort and peace in his imaginative world, but his consciousness pulls him back to confront the painful realities of life. Ultimately, he realizes that only death can offer a permanent escape from despair. Through his poetic imagination, he wishes to enter a harmonious state of mind that temporarily takes him away from the misfortunes in his life. Kate also points out that unlike the beautiful song of the nightingale, death is inevitable to humans and because of this, he accepts that his blissful imagination is just a brief getaway from reality while he is still alive.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that Rap/Hip-Hop as a genre has the potential to achieve a similar effect in terms of commending accomplishments with language. This being said I believe that it truly depends on the type of hip hop you are listening. For the most part the content of mainstream Hip Hop focus on letting the world know about one's personal accomplishments and or aspirations, which for the most part are highly exaggerated. There can be instances in which the mainstream does talk about the praises of others but this is rare as that is not something that commercial rap is about. These songs of praise are more prevalent within the alternative hip hop scene. Usually these songs of praise are made in reaction to their friends passing. Two examples of this can be found in Phife Dawg's "Dear Dilla", which is a track in which Phife speaks highly of his friend Jdilla, and mentions his various accolades within the genre of rap. The other being Aesop Rock who recalls the accomplishments of his late friend Camu Tao in his song "Get Out of the Car". Although for the most part rap does not fit the praise poem template, certain artists can utilize them in their songs.
Rap genre has the same effect as praise poetry in regards to how it commends accomplishments with its carefully selected language. I think people think rap has no sentiments but if you carefully listen a story can be told. It is a way people can express strong emotions. It can be used to tell personal struggles and relate it to personal growth. The rap can be also a self-esteem booster, it can tell a story which many can relate to. Since rap is a very popular genre, it can be used to voice important issues that people need to know about. This does not hold true for all types of rap, some of them are are a way to gloat about an incident that happened in the eye of the public. They can be used as a way to combat controversial issues surrounding the artist.
ReplyDeleteI think the rap genre has a similar effect as praise poetry because of the language style. I feel like rap always has a story behind the lyrics and the way it can be written could be poetry and then add a beat and then its a rap song. Rap can be used to express many things and could literally be written about so many different things, just like poetry is free writing and does not have much limit to it. That is what is great about comparing rap and poetry because they are similar but yet could be considered different. Though it might not be exactly reflected by praise poetry I do think there is similarities between the two that connect them.
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