General Skills of the Skaldic Poet
Skaldic poetry is one of the oldest forms of Celtic literature and is a distinct genre of poetry characterized by its use of kennings— poetic metaphors and similes. Skaldic poetry is not only a great way to express yourself, but it can also be a highly rewarding craft. As with any art form, there are certain skills that are needed to develop the craft of writing skaldic poetry.
To write skaldic poetry, you must have a good understanding of the Celtic culture, mythology, and oral traditions. You’ll also need a command of skaldic poetic conventions and techniques, such as the use of meter and alliteration. In addition, you’ll need a good sense of rhythm and the ability to form powerful and evocative kennings.
Beyond the technical knowledge, it takes a deep sense of creativity and a natural understanding of beauty and form in language to truly hone the craft of writing skaldic poetry. You also need to understand the power of language and its capacity for conveying emotion and meaning. If you have the desire to write skaldic poetry, then all of these skills can be learned and mastered.
Kennings in Skaldic Poetry
Skaldic poetry is, in part, defined by its use of kennings. A kenning is a figurative expression that substitutes one thing for another, and these are often used to describe abstract or complex concepts. Kennings play an important role in conveying the emotion and meaning of skaldic poems, and so mastery of the craft requires an understanding of how to effectively use them.
A good place to start is by familiarizing yourself with some of the common skaldic kennings. For example, “wind-swept paths” and “sun-filled meadows” are two commonly used kennings that refer to journey and beauty, respectively. Once you have become familiar with the basics, you can look for more creative and unique kennings to capture meaning in different ways.
Meter and Sound Devices
The meter of a skaldic poem is an integral part of the overall effect and rhythm of the poem. Meter, for the most part, is established by the number of syllables and stressed beats per line. Choosing the right meter for a particular poem can help to create a desired mood or tension, and if you can properly tie together the meter of a poem with alliteration or internal rhyme, the effect can be quite powerful.
Capturing Gaelic Aural Culture
Skaldic poetry was first created in the oral culture of the Celtic people, and so when writing skaldic poems you must also take into account the sense of style, language, and orality that was inherent in this culture. Think about if any of your poetry has story telling potential and how you can use the words to create a vibrant image in the readers mind. If a poem is intended for an audience, should parts of it be spoken or shouted? Want will create more emotion and captivate the listener more?
Writing Exercises
Besides the techniques and skills of writing skaldic poetry, the craft is also about practice and practice makes perfect. To become a skilled skaldic poet, you must constantly be writing and refining your skills. One of the best ways to do this is to use writing exercises. Writing exercises can help you to develop the skills that you need, to come up with creative solutions, and to practice your understanding of the different poetic conventions.
Model Poems
Studying model poems is also an important part of improving your skaldic poetry. Read as many skaldic poems as you can and take the time to really analyze them. Ask yourself what makes them successful or what is it that makes them meaningful or beautiful? Also, try and identify the different elements of skaldic poetry present in the poem, look for patterns or kennings that the author has used, and consider the effect of the meter and rhyme.
Publishing your Work
Once you have honed your skills and established your own unique style of skaldic poetry, you might want to consider publishing your work. There are numerous literary magazines and e-zines that specialize in Celtic literature or skaldic poetry. Before you submit your work, however, make sure to edit and proofread your poems carefully. You could also consider entering your work into literary competitions to get it further recognition.
Responding to Criticism
As you strive to become a better skaldic poet, you may come across criticism from other poets or readers. When this occurs, it’s important to remember to stay open-minded and constructive. Consider the point that’s being made and see if it can help you to improve your poem or your understanding of the craft itself.
Poetic Devices in Skaldic Poetry
Skaldic poetry makes use of numerous poetic devices and techniques, such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, and internal rhyme. All of these devices can be used to create powerful images and emotions from the words you write. Each device should be used judiciously as they can easily become overused and cliched.
Expanding the Topic of Skaldic Poetry
Skaldic poetry is incredibly vast and diverse, and there are many other topics that you can explore when it comes to the craft. You can look deeper into the Celtic mythology and oral folklore associated with skaldic poetry, study different other Celtic cultures, or even research into modern interpretations of skaldic poetry. Whatever you decide to do, you will never be short of material or inspiration.
Developing Characters and Story lines
Skaldic poetry can often be used to create entire stories and characters. To develop a story, create characters and a world for them to exist in and flesh out their motivations and personalities. This can also be a good way to practice skaldic poetry as you can use creative and complex kennings to describe these characters and their worlds.
Different Views on the Theme
Each skaldic poet has their own unique take on the craft that reflects their experiences and beliefs. When writing skaldic poetry, take the time to reflect on who you are and the things that you have experienced in life, and look for ways to bring that into your poem. Consider also reading and learning from the work of other skaldic poets to understand different views on the same subject.
Blending Skaldic Poetry and Music
Skaldic poetry and music go hand in hand, and when writing skaldic poetry you may want to consider how the poem might sound when accompanied by music. Look for ways to create a balance between music and poetry to capture a certain mood, or consider writing a poem that is based on a specific piece of music.
Finding Your Own Style
At the end of the day, the craft of skaldic poetry is personal and subjective, and you should focus on finding your own style of writing. Look at the different elements that make up skaldic poetry and find the ones that speak to you the most. Experiment and grow your understanding of skaldic poety, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
