Much more important than knowing a long list of poetic techniques, or analysing a poem’s language, form and structure separately, is to understand the meaning of each of the anthology poems and the ideas the poets explore in their poems. A critical analysis goes beyond just spotting elements of language, form and structure, although these can be used as a springboard for explaining the impact of the choices the poets have made.
Analysing Form
The form of the poem can be thought of as its “genre”. Poetry itself is a form of text, as are prose and drama. WIthin the form of poetry, there are many subforms. Some of the main forms of poetry are detailed below:
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Form
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Explanation
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Sonnet
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- Traditionally made up of 14 lines, usually dealing with the theme of love
- Petrarchan (Italian) sonnets typically follow an ABBA, ABBA, CDE, CDE rhyme scheme
- Shakespearean (English) sonnets typically follow an ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG rhyme scheme
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Epic
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- A ancient type of lengthy, narrative poem
- Epic poems typically deal with heroic deeds
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Free verse
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- A type of poetry defined by a lack of rules
- It can rhyme or not, have as many lines or stanzas as the poets want and can be about any subject matter
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Villanelle
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- A old, rule-driven type of poetry made up of 19 lines
- It has five stanzas of three lines each (tercets) and a final stanza of four lines (quatrain)
- There are only two rhyming sounds (ABA) and a lot of repetition
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Ode
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- One of the oldest forms of poetry, originally performed with a musical instrument
- Typically written to praise a person, event or thing
- Odes are usually quite short in length
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Ballad
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- An old, traditional form of poetry that typically tells a dramatic or emotional story
- Ballads are typically structured into quatrains with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, although this can be modified to suit a writer’s needs
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When writing about form in poetry, it is important to consider why the poet has chosen that particular form, and especially if they have altered the rules of that particular form and why. It is also useful to consider how the form reflects the themes of the poems.
Let’s take a look at an example below. The following poem is ‘A Complaint’ by William Wordsworth and is from the Relationships Anthology:
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‘A Complaint’
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Comments about the form of the poem
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There is a change—and I am poor;
Your love hath been, nor long ago,
A fountain at my fond heart's door,
Whose only business was to flow;
And flow it did; not taking heed
Of its own bounty, or my need.
What happy moments did I count!
Blest was I then all bliss above!
Now, for that consecrated fount
Of murmuring, sparkling, living love,
What have I? shall I dare to tell?
A comfortless and hidden well.
A well of love—it may be deep—
I trust it is,—and never dry:
What matter? if the waters sleep
In silence and obscurity.
—Such change, and at the very door
Of my fond heart, hath made me poor.
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- The poem is a first-person reflection that takes the form of a conversation to a silent listener
- The poem consists of three stanzas of six lines (also known as sestets)
- The poem has a cyclical structure and it ends as it begins, with the speaker by a pond on a winter’s day
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The examiner is looking for you to comment on how the poets use their chosen form for effect. Throughout your response you should aim to add your own interpretations and ensure that all of your points are fully developed. Below is an example of how to apply this in your response:
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Question focus
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Analysis of form
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Explore how Wordsworth conveys ideas of loss and acceptance in ‘A Complaint’.
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The poem’s form conveys ideas linked to loss and acceptance as it reflects an individual who speaks intimately to a lost loved one. The poem consists of three stanzas of sestets and this is used to divide the speaker’s reflections as they compare their life with love and without it. Wordsworth shows that the speaker is unable to come to terms with the changes brought by the end of the relationship. The regular form indicates a speaker who is attempting to discipline their thoughts despite strong emotions as they reflect on their loss. Wordsworth also ends the poem as it begins, with the speaker by a pond on a winter’s day. The cyclical structure represents the unresolved feelings of the speaker after their reflection. Further the use of first-person creates an intimate tone and reinforces the close bond shared.
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Analysing structure
Analysing structure can seem very demanding, but it simply involves examining thе structural choices made by the poet and thеir impact on the poem. You can effectively analyse how structural devices contribute to the overall meaning of a poem by understanding the many types of structural devices and their purposes.
While the examiner will expect you to use relevant subject terminology to support your views, this does not mean that you will secure more marks for demonstrating a wide knowledge of structural terms. It is much more important that you clearly articulate the poets’ intended effects than show off with technical poetic terminology.
We will now explore some structural comments that you might choose to make using the same poem above.
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Structural technique(s)
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Quote from the text
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Intended effect on the reader
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Regular iambic tetrameter
ABABCC rhyme scheme
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“There is a change— and I am poor”, “What have I? shall I dare to tell?”
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The structure of the poem indicates that the speaker attempts to control their emotions, yet a melancholic and resigned tone with outbursts of emotion present an individual’s deep feelings of love and loss. The poem’s rhythm is in a regular iambic tetrameter and this creates, generally, shorter sentences which reflect a sad, resigned voice. For example, this is evidenced in the line “There is a change— and I am poor”. Each stanza of the poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme which creates a repetitive rhythm. This is suggestive of repeated similarly painful reflections and conversations.
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Analysing Language
It is also important that you are familiar with key literary terms that can help to support your analysis of the text. While the examiner will expect you to use relevant subject terminology to support your views, this does not mean that you will secure more marks for demonstrating a wide understanding of literary terms. It is much more important that you clearly articulate the intended effects of any terms that you use.
Analysing language means that you consider the deliberate choices the poet has made to include specific words or phrases in their poems and why. As an example, we will explore some specific literary techniques and consider Wordworth’s intentions using the same poem:
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Language technique(s)
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Example
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Wordsworth’s intentions
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Alliteration
Assonance
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“fountain” and “fond”
“blest” and “bliss”
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The poem speaks about the benefits of a relationship and the many riches love can bring. Wordsworth uses alliteration to place emphasis to the joy inherent in the relationship through the words “fountain”, “fond” and creates a similar effect using assonance in the words “blest” and “bliss”. The words “blest” and “bliss” convey the sense of happiness and contentment experienced by the speaker, while “fountain” and “fond” underscore their emotional attachment.
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