How to understand and compare poems

Introduction 

First, it remains critical to note that poems depend on the use of words and literary devices to represent themes. Understanding a poem requires a word for word reading and a proper keen assessment of the words and phrases beyond the literal meaning. Other vital aspects to consider include the point of view of the poet, the narrator, and the setting. All these factors are fundamental in unearthing the tone, mood, themes, and the relevance of the poem from a societal point of view. The primary aim of the blog will be to give the readers strategies that would help them understand the poems in general and in comparison with one another. 

Understanding the Poems In General 

The first thing that every reader should appreciate is the importance of reading. The poems should first be read aloud. The importance of reading the poems allowed is that it enables the reader to appreciate several vital aspects such as rhythm and rhyming. After doing this, the next important step is to read the poems silently. Here, the individual will be keen on appreciating the storyline and the poet's point of view. Once these two steps are taken, then the reader is in a pole position to appreciate the structural and thematic significance of the poem. Many poems come with complex wordings and the use of terms and phrases that might not necessarily have an English background. The poet has freedom of manipulating words to ensure that they come up with a product that is appealing to the readers. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the reader to identify the complex words and look them up in the dictionary. They should also identify the manipulated words especially the ones that do not necessarily have an English background. 

The two poems have been translated. This important consideration should be on the mind of every reader. Normally, when translation occurs, the poem can lose some of its important cues that impact the tone and the overall mood. While reading the two poems, individuals should attempt to identify any possible gaps and relate them to the act of translation. Another crucial tenet that the author should explore revolves around the point of view of the poem. A story that is told from the first-person point of view will have a different impact compared to another one given in the second or third person point of view. A story in the first person point of view is given from the perspective of the narrator. It is, therefore, easier for the reader to resonate with the story due to the high level of authenticity associated with it. 

Understanding the Poems In Comparison To Each Other 

The poems have several aspects of similarities and differences. First, they are both told from the first person point of view. As such, this should help the reader resonate with the narrator and acquire the different perspectives of the respective stories. The structures of the poems are similar but also different in a particular way. They are organized in stanzas which makes it easier for the reader to make quick transitions from one idea to another. However, the number of lines in each stanza is more or less the same meaning that the rhythmic impact of the poems will almost be the same. However, the first poem has more stanzas totaling to eight. However, the other poem has only three stanzas. The longevity of the poems cannot be wished away. It has a significant implication on the level of understanding of the reader. A shorter narrative is easier to understand due to its ability to economize the use of words and present themes in a quick fashion. On the other hand, a longer poem such as the first one requires keenness, and it is easier for one to get lost in the middle of the words. 

The two poems have different meaning and are written to a different audience. It is the job of the reader to uncover this crucial characteristic. For instance, the first poem seems to be talking about love. It is supposedly written by a man and directed to a woman. Such can only be acquired from a keen assessment of the words in the story. The poet writes, “Alas! How much of love I thought I knew and how little I know, for I cannot stop loving her…” It is beyond doubt that the narrator is addressing his love to a woman who she loves and adores very much. The second poem is also about the theme of love. The narrator is a woman who expressed her love towards a man. She says, "I must sing of what I do not want, I am so angry with the one whom I love, because I love him more than anything." Finding the common point between the two poems is the beginning of understanding and appreciating its relevance to society. 

Masculine and Feminine Point of View 

Each of the poems has a different point of view. The narrator in the first poem is a man. On the other hand, the narrator in the second poem is a woman. Regarding the similarities, both of them address the issue of love. It is beyond any reasonable doubt that both the man and the women narrator are hell-bent on describing their love to their partners. They use descriptive words that not only show their emotions but also reveal what they think about their counterparts. In both situations, the man and the woman reveal some of the problems they experience in their love. In the first poem, the man remains keen to assert her powerlessness while in the second poem; the woman has reservations about her beauty. Therefore, this helps in selling the idea that each love relationship comes with its shortcomings. Although love is unquestionable, each individual has their own problem which they feel limits their potential to have a relationship of their dreams. As such, this can be interpreted as a move by the author to create a sense of conflict in the poem. 

The first poem reveals some misogynic stand held by the male narrator. He says that despite his lady wanting to be a good woman, she has discouraged her. The woman seems to comply with whatever the man asks her to do irrespective of the overall good it has on her. The poet, therefore, reveals the masculine power of the men and the peripheral position that women hold in love relationships. One of the most significant themes in the first poem can, therefore, be regarded as patriarchy. In the second poem, similar connotations can be witnessed by a female point of view. She expresses the deep love she has for her love. However, the only problem is that she puts more emphasis on her beauty to the point that she becomes unnecessarily paranoid. From a feminine perspective, women tend to put much pressure upon themselves for fear that they will be judged by society based on their physical appearances. It is in this regard that she constantly mentions the words "beauty" and "ugly" in reference to herself. The overemphasis on her looks stresses her up as she fears that this might eventually affect her love life. 

A Contemporary Song with Similar Characteristics 

The contemporary song that has an element of comparison with the two discussed poems is "One and Only” by Adele. The song is written from a feminist point of view. The singer expressed her nostalgic emotions towards her supposed lover by making it clear that she loves her. Just like the rest of the poems discussed, she has her own doubts when she says, "God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go." It shows that she has had doubts with her lover, but eventually, all have since gone because of the love she has been shown. The song is organized as a poem as seen in its structure. The lyrics are organized in stanzas with each line having a definite number of words. Technically, the song is a poem which has been developed by thoroughly putting much consideration into the rhythm. Furthermore, it has been helped by the artistic characteristics of the singer and her beautiful voice. 

Conclusion 

The primary aim of the blog was to give the readers strategies that would help them understand the poems in general and in comparison with one another. Reading and understanding a poem can be an easy yet difficult task. It requires a keen assessment of the words, phrases, and the overall structure. Appreciating a poem can only be possible if the themes and the different points of view are uncovered. The two poems are straightforward in their themes about love but differing in perspective because one is given from a feminine and another one from a masculine facet. Despite their differences, they are evidence of the artistic prowess of the medieval era.