ENH2650

Poetry: text and performance

P Groves

8 points - 2.5 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have developed some understanding of the traditional concepts and problems of poetics, specifically in the area of the functioning of poetic language and the relation between poetic text and performance; competence in a variety of interpretive strategies; a broad acquaintance with a wide range of poetic genres and styles; and a general understanding of the historical development of English poetry.

Synopsis The aim of the subject will be to demystify poetry and its workings for the students who take it, and in this way to increase their understanding and enjoyment of the medium. The subject will explore, in the light of recent developments in literary and linguistic theory, some of the traditional concepts and problems of poetics, specifically in the area of the functioning of poetic language and the relation between poetic text and performance. It will include study of the following areas of interest: stylistic and semiotic analyses of poetry; sound-patterning and its affective and iconic potential; metre and other kinds of rhythmic form; poetic diction; the functioning of metaphor, metonymy and other forms of figurative language; interpretive strategies; and the performance of poetry.

Assessment Tutorial paper (1000 words): 15% - Short essay (1500 words): 25% - Long essay (2500 words): 40% - Class test (1000 words): 10% - Seminar participation: 10%

Prescribed texts

Allison and others The Norton anthology of poetry 4th edn, Norton
Groves P L Strange music ELS
Probyn C English poetry Longman
Roberts P D How poetry works Penguin

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