name and explain three kinds of poems
Name and explain three kinds of poems
Answer:
Poetry is a literary form that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings and emotions. There are numerous types of poems, each characterized by specific elements such as structure, theme, and stylistic features. Here, we will discuss three major kinds of poems: Haiku, Sonnet, and Free Verse.
1. Haiku
Definition:
A Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines. The structure follows a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern.
Explanation:
- Origin: Haikus originated in Japan and are deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism, nature, and the contemplation of the impermanence of life.
- Structure: The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line has five syllables again.
- Content: Haikus often focus on nature, seasons, and moments of beauty and simplicity. They are intended to capture a fleeting moment or scene and evoke a deep emotional response.
Example:
An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond—
Splash! Silence again.
This Haiku by Matsuo Bashō captures a tranquil moment in nature, typical of the form’s contemplative quality.
2. Sonnet
Definition:
A Sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, traditionally written in iambic pentameter.
Explanation:
- Origin: The Sonnet originated in Italy and was perfected by poets like Petrarch. It was later adopted and adapted by English poets such as Shakespeare.
- Structure: The two most famous forms are the Petrarchan (or Italian) Sonnet and the Shakespearean (or English) Sonnet.
- Petrarchan Sonnet: Composed of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines) with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE or CDCDCD.
- Shakespearean Sonnet: Consists of three quatrains (four lines each) followed by a final rhymed couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
- Content: Sonnets are often about love, nature, politics, and mortality. The form allows for a “volta” or turn in argument or theme, typically occurring at the ninth line in Petrarchan Sonnets and at the final couplet in Shakespearean Sonnets.
Example:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest;
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
This Shakespearean Sonnet, written by William Shakespeare, exemplifies the beauty and complexity of this poetic form.
3. Free Verse
Definition:
Free Verse is a type of poetry that does not adhere to any specific rhyme scheme, meter, or rhythm.
Explanation:
- Origin: Free Verse emerged as a significant form in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by the work of poets like Walt Whitman.
- Structure: Free Verse poems can vary greatly in length, line breaks, and rhythm. The poet has the freedom to create the structure and flow of the poem according to the content and emotions they wish to convey.
- Content: These poems can cover any subject matter and often focus on imagery, emotional depth, and the natural flow of language.
Example:
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
...
The atmosphere is not a perfume, it has no taste of the distillation, it is odorless,
It is for my mouth forever, I am in love with it,
I will go to the bank by the wood and become undisguised and naked,
I am mad for it to be in contact with me.
These lines from Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass highlight the fluid and open structure of Free Verse, allowing for a conversational and personal tone.
Final Answer:
The three kinds of poems discussed are Haiku, Sonnet, and Free Verse. Each offers unique structural and thematic elements that contribute to the rich diversity of poetry.