Poetic Forms Poetic Forms    

Lesson 29: Ode: Ode on Solitude

by Alexander Pope

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the poem each day.
• Review the synopsis.
• Read about the poetic form.
• Complete the enrichment activities.

Synopsis

The next four lessons feature odes. An ode honors or celebrates something or someone. Alexander Pope was only twelve in 1709 when he wrote his now famous "Ode on Solitude." Pope extols the benefits of a peaceful and uncomplicated existence, idealizing his perception of the life of a farmer.

Concepts

Poems often adhere to specific poetic forms, defined as 'poems following distinct sets of rules.'

The nine poetic forms we'll study include the:

1. Sijo: A lyrical Korean poetic form of three long lines.
2. Haiku: A Japanese poem of three lines and a total of seventeen syllables.
3. Limerick: A humorous poem of five lines and the rhyming scheme AABBA, typically having syllables of 9–9–6–6–9.
4. Sonnet: A poetic form of fourteen lines that follow one of a few common rhyming schemes.
5. Epitaph: A poem honoring the deceased, engraved on a burial marker or tomb.
6. Acrostic: A poem where particular letter spell out a secret message, often the first letter of each line.
7. Visual: A poem written in such a way that the lines form a pattern, usually related to the subject-matter of the poem.
8. Ode: A poem honoring and/or celebrating something or someone.
9. Blank Verse

Odes generally follow these rules:

1. Written to praise someone or something
2. Follow a rhyming scheme (e.g. AABBCC)

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Poem Title, Poet Name, and Poem

• Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

Study the poem picture and describe how the poem relates to the patterns its words form.

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

• After reading the poem, narrate the poem concepts aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Complete Book Activities   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 32 of 'Elementary Poetry 6: Poetic Forms.'