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”.
One thought on “Viridiana Rivera Discussion 12”
Hello Viridiana, your post stood out to me because you mentioned how you focused on “rhyme scheme”. I also made an emphasis on making sure I correctly read the poem how it was intended. It led me to missing details in poems like “My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun” by Shakespeare. The fact that he ends the funny poem with a complement for the woman he jokes about goes over my head. You can say I had the wrong mindset when reading it, but fortunately I caught on after rereading. Thanks for sharing.