What is Formal Poetry?
Formal poetry is a type of verse composed in specific structures based on the number of lines, stanzas, and syllables. Structurally, formal poetry can be either free or fixed depending on the rules governing its form. The defining elements of formal poetry include rhyme, meter, and stanza form.
Rhythm, or meter, is a steady pattern of sound established by the combination of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line. Like a heartbeat, rhythm keeps a regular pattern that can be set to a melody. Rhyme is the repetition of sounds at the end of words of the same line. It is often used to craft a memorable phrase or line that catches the reader’s attention. Lastly, in order to give a poem aesthetic unity, a poet might foreordain a certain number of stanzas, each incorporating the same number of lines and syllables.
Types of Formal Poetry
Formal poetry can be further divided based on the type of structure applied. According to Dr. Maureen Hodge, author of “The Ultimate Guide to Literary Devices,” “Types of formal poetry are represented in many classical works of the 20th century, including Greek, Latin and English.” One of the oldest types of formal poetry known is the Elegiac Couplet. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Elegiac Couplet, or elegiac distich, is a form composed of two lines of alternating hexameter, or six-foot, and pentameter, or five-foot, verse. It is often used in ancient Greek and Latin poetry for its simplicity and elegance.
The sonnet is the most widely recognized type of formal poetry. It was popularized by sixteenth-century Italian poet Petrarch and is composed of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Each one of these fourteen lines is usually divided into two quatrains and two couplets. Quatrains are lines divided into four verses, while couplets are lines divided into two. Sonnets are typically written in iambic pentameter and consistent rhyme scheme with at least two couplets.
The Value of Formal Poetry
Formal poetry is considered valuable for its focus on structure. Because of its defined rules and regulations, the structure of formal poetry allows poets to explore a range of poetic techniques, including repetition, alliteration, rhyme, meter, and simile. The structure helps to ensure consistency and coherence in a poem, making for a more enjoyable experience for both the reader and the writer.
Furthermore, the use of these poetic techniques adds variety and depth to a poem’s message. By taking advantage of these essential elements of writing, a poet is able to express a range of emotions and ideas in an organized and meaningful way.
Modern Examples of Formal Poetry
Modern examples of formal poetry include “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot, “Ode on a Grecian Urn” by John Keats, and “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas. Although these poems differ in form and structure, they all adhere to certain rules of formal poetry. Each poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme and has a fixed number of lines and stanzas.
In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” the poem follows a common sonnet structure. There are three quatrains and one concluding couplet, and each line is composed of a strict iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is a simple A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D-E-E. This adherence to rhyme, rhythm, and structure helps to make the poem more effective in its message.
Conclusion
In conclusion, formal poetry has been used by poets throughout the centuries in order to express their emotions and ideas in a structured way. By following certain rules such as rhyme, meter, and stanza form, a poet is able to create a coherent and meaningful poem. From the Elegiac Couplet to the sonnet, formal poetry is valuable for its focus on structure, allowing poets to explore a range of poetic techniques. Modern examples of formal poetry, like The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, demonstrate the effectiveness of formal poetry and showcase its continued relevance today.
