From what I understand, reading poetry requires a proper attitude and skill. In William Shakespeare’s Eighteen Sonnets, I believe that having the proper attitude and skill is necessary to understand the beauty and message of the poems. The poet compares his beloved to a summer’s day, but he asserts that she is more beautiful and peaceful than any summer’s day. To understand and appreciate the subtleties of this comparison, the reader needs a certain attitude and skill. For example, when the poet says, “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date,” he implies that summer is short-lived and temporary. Readers must be willing to recognize and accept the transience of life and have the skills to understand the language and imagery used in the poem. In addition, the reader must have the proper attitude to appreciate the message behind the poem about the eternal nature of beauty. The following quote illustrates this point: “But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest. Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade. When in eternal lines to time thou growest:” Here, the poet implies that the beauty of his beloved will never fade or disappear because he praises her in his poem, making her immortal. To fully appreciate this idea, the reader must have an open mind and a willingness to consider the possibility of beauty’s eternity. In addition, the reader must have the skill to understand the metaphorical language that describes the beauty of the beloved as an “eternal summer” that will not fade with time.
Daily Archives: April 17, 2023
In his article, “How to Read a Poem,” Edward Hirsch points out that most readers make three false assumptions when addressing an unfamiliar poem. These assumptions can make it difficult for readers to truly appreciate and understand the poem. The first false assumption that readers make when approaching an unfamiliar poem is that they believe that they should be able to understand it on the first read. This assumption is based on the belief that poetry is like any other form of literature, where the meaning is clear and straightforward. However, poetry is often written in a way that is intentionally ambiguous, and it requires the reader to spend time unraveling the layers of meaning. It is important for readers to approach poetry with an open mind and a willingness to spend time with the text. The second false assumption that readers make is that they believe that there is only one correct interpretation of the poem. This assumption is based on the belief that poetry is like a puzzle that has only one correct solution. However, poetry is open to interpretation, and there may be multiple ways to understand a poem. The reader’s interpretation may be influenced by their personal experiences, cultural background, and the historical context in which the poem was written. It is important for readers to recognize that their interpretation of a poem is valid, even if it differs from others.The third false assumption that readers make is that they believe that they need to understand every word and reference in the poem to appreciate it. This assumption is based on the belief that poetry is like a code that needs to be deciphered. However, poetry is not meant to be understood in a literal sense. It is often filled with metaphorical language and symbolism that […]
In “How to Read a Poem,” Edward Hirsch notes that while studying a poem, readers frequently make three incorrect assumptions. I discovered after reading William Butler Yeats’ “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” that I had assumed the poem was straightforward and lacked deeper depth. However, after reading Hirsch’s paper, I realized that this assumption was incorrect. The poem’s simple language and structure can be deceiving, since there are deeper themes at work, such as a desire for isolation and a simpler existence in nature. Overall, reading these poems has taught me the value of not forming preconceptions when approaching a new poem. I was able to better comprehend the speaker’s desire for a simpler existence in nature and the romantic theme present in the poem by paying great attention to the language and imagery used.
“Reading a poem is part attitude and part technique.” 1. Reading a poem requires a certain level of openness and curiosity of what the poem actually means or stands for, and it needs to be read in a meaningful way. A poem cannot be looked at as though it is simply words put together in lines. You have to approach the poem free of judgement or indifference and ask yourself questions as you do so. 2. In my personal experience throughout this course, I have had to learn how to read the poems we’ve been given. I have learned that approaching the poem with an, “I don’t want to read this,” or an, “What is the point of this,” attitude, is not helpful at all in trying to understand what the poem means. I have also realized that it’s okay to misunderstand the poem at first read. In Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun, for example, by just reading the title, I said to myself, “well damn,” because at first it sounds a little rude (lol.) Even after reading a little further, he is describing her hair as coarse and her breath as being a little stinky, but when I read the last two lines, 12-14, “And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.” He ends the poem by saying he loves her more than anything else and his love may be truer than any she’s ever experienced. I will admit it took me reading this poem twice in my head and once aloud, before I finally understood what he was saying and it’s beautiful. He loves her with her coarse hair, her dull skin and her stinky breath.
The quote “Reading a poem is part attitude and part technique.” in my own words reading a poem requires a combination of both a certain mindset or a set of skills or methods. One sonnet from this week that I can discuss is “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare. In my personal experience, reading this poem requires both a certain mindset and a set of techniques. The attitude or approach I bring to the poem involves an appreciation for the beauty of nature and the passage of time. Meanwhile, the techniques I use include paying attention to the rhyme scheme and meter, as well as analyzing the use of metaphors and other literary devices. In the opening lines of the poem, the speaker compares the subject of the poem to a “summer’s day.” This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the poem and emphasizes the beauty and perfection of the subject. By recognizing and analyzing this metaphor, I am able to better understand the poem’s message. Furthermore, the poem’s use of iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme also contribute to its overall effect. As the speaker praises the subject’s beauty and perfection, the poem’s structure and rhythm help to reinforce these qualities. For example, in lines 5-6, the speaker says,”Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed”.
1- “Reading a poem is part attitude and part technique. Attitude Technique is also very important for understanding, the repetition of certain words, the rhythm or even the style of language to use can be very useful for understanding and for the emotions that the writer is trying to communicate to us. 2-At the beginning of the reading I was very confused but after having read the poem again and used the literary techniques my approach totally realized all the irony present in William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 “My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like The Sun”. ‘‘My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks .’’ Unlike classic poems that highlight the beauty of women using exaggerations, the author does the opposite. He compares the parts of his lover’s body to beautiful objects, but each time he does so one realizes that he is describing his lover’s body as less beautiful than the thing he is comparing it to. For example, he says his eyes aren’t as bright as the sun and his breath isn’t like perfume at all and it “reeks”.
The poem “Why Do I Love You So Much” is an expression of the speakers feelings of love and trust for someone. The poem is constructed in short lines with a tone that really reflects the intimacy of a relationship. When talking about imagery this poem shows that clearly to convey the speakers emotions. For example the lines “to remind how to laugh” and “favorite memories”. On the other hand, “How Do I love Thee” by Browning Sonnet is a poem that expresses the speakers affection for a summer day. This poem uses figurative language and imagery to compare affection to a summer day. The line “Thou art more lovely and more temperate” compares the person to a summer day that is not too hot or too cold. In my opinion, both poems use imagery to convey emotions and ideas. As well as expressing feelings of love and admiration to an figure or object like a summer day or a person.
