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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5113-Ottava-Rima-A-Brief-History-and-How-To.html
Poetry: June 20, 2012 Issue [#5113]

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Poetry


 This week: Ottava Rima: A Brief History and How-To
  Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon
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1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
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About This Newsletter



"Every poem can be considered in two ways--as what the poet has to say, and as a thing which he makes..."
C. S. Lewis



"Poetry comes nearer to vital truth than history."
Plato (428 BC-348 BC)




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Letter from the editor




Ottava Rima: A Brief History and How-To


The ottava rima can be a poetic or a stanza form. This means that it is a type of stanza that can also be considered a form of its own, as well. Rima means rhyme, and ottava can mean eighth or eight. So the form translates "roughly [to] 'rhyme in eights'" (Padgett 124).


BRIEF HISTORY

This poetry form has Italian roots and is about seven centuries old. It started out lofty; praising things. Then it turned to mocking the very things it originally praised. "In the early sixteenth century, Ludovico Ariosto used the ottava rima in his epic poem Orlando Furioso (Frenzied Roland), a wonderfully long and rich work that mixes the comic and the serious, story and commentary, history and fantasies that include flying horses, knights, maidens, and a trip to the moon " (Padgett 124).


MUST HAVES

--Stanzas are eight lines long (and you can have one or more stanzas).

--Rhyme scheme is: ABABABCC (when adding more stanzas the rhyme scheme is progressive. Example: abababcc, dededeff, ghghghii, and so on.)

--Syllabic scheme is either: 11 syllables (Italian), or 10 syllables (mostly iambic pentameter-English version).


COULD HAVES or WHAT IS THE POET'S CHOICE IN ALL THIS?

-- Since its topic has ranged from the lofty to mocking, I'd say topic is totally up to you. "The work of the great masters of the stanza-Ariosto, Byron, and Yeats-suggests that [the ottava rima] is most suited to work of a varied nature blending serious, comic and satiric attitudes and mingling narrative and discursive modes" (New Princeton 872).

--Length can be long or short, although it "is associated with long poems because its most famous examples have been long" (Padgett 124). Just remember if it is more than one stanza, traditionally you should follow the progressive rhyme scheme shown above.


SOURCE NOTES:

Padgett, Ron. The Teachers & Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms. 2nd. NY: T & W Books, 2000.

The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Edited by Ales Preminger and T. V. F. Brogan. 1993.


Editor's Picks



Theme: Ottava rima.

Tattered Wings Open in new Window. [E]
Soaring on hope's wings. (Form: Ottava Rima)
by 🌕 HuntersMoon Author Icon

Family Memories Open in new Window. [E]
An Ottava Rima poem for Day 5, Rhythm & Rhyme winter contest.
by JACE Author Icon

Tale untold Open in new Window. [E]
Some memorials are almost unseen but they have a history all the same. Week 3 Ottava Rima
by Just an Ordinary Boo! Author Icon

Ring Ring Open in new Window. [13+]
My entry for "static cling" contest.
by Michelle Jane Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
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Ask & Answer



Have a question, answer, problem, solution, tip, trick, cheer, jeer, or extra million lying around?

If so, send it through the feedback section at the bottom of this newsletter OR click the little envelope next to my name Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon and send it through email.


Comments on last month's newsletter:


By: monty31802
Comment: I really like this, A Newsletter that I hope is read by many before reviewing.. Great write.


By: Stephens burnt toast Author Icon
Comment: Thank you for choosing my poem for the newsletter, much appreciated.


By: rjsimonson Author Icon
Comment: I have a question, that is -- Can you explain - rhyming scheme's and some rules for true rhyming. I love to write poetry however I have never written poetry that uses scheme's or rhyming because I am confused when these are mentioned. I guess I missed that class in English literature. Or you can just point me to a book or item on WDC that have these things explained. Thank you so much in advance!!!!!!


You can learn more about rhyme (and other tools to use in poetry) at: "A Poet's Tool BoxOpen in new Window. It includes past newsletters and articles by members of this site, as well as some off-site references. What I did is learn about the different types of rhymes and and I practiced, practiced, practiced. :) Thank you all for the great feedback. Keep it coming!!!


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