APlit Questions

Janvi Hathiramani
AP Language and Composition

2015-16
Rhyme , Meter, Form , Poetic Syntax and Sound Questions
Does the poem have a regular rhyme scheme? If so, what is
it?
- This poem has a ABAB rhyming scheme where the last word of the
sentence rhymes with the following line (so for example, the first
line would rhyme with the third.) The lines e and f rhyme or are near
rhymes , and the last lines gs both rhyme with each other.
What other types of rhymes does the poem include, such as
internal rhymes, sight rhymes, or near rhymes?
None really. The use of the word unchangeable could be seen as a
near rhyme. The only other thing that I could see be somewhat
applicable would be the use of swell and fall. This could be seen
as a near internal rhyme if you close one eye.
How does the rhyme scheme affect the poems sound, tone,
or meaning?
The rhyme scheme doesnt affect the meaning or the tone of the
poem. But the sense of rhythm makes a poem sound different . This
rhyme brings rhythm into the poem.
Does the poem have a regular meter? If so, what is it?
The poem is in iambic pentameter, so there are five iambic feet.
This would give us up to maybe ten syllables per line.
Read the poem aloud. How does the meter affect the tone of
the poem? For instance, does the meter make the poem
seem formal, informal, sing song, celebratory, somber?
The Iambic pentameter doesnt really create singsong rhythm. The
iambs break up the meter so its not just stressed-unstressed. So I
would say that the poem seems more formal than anything else.
Does the poem follow a traditional form? If so, which?
The poem is a conventional 14 line sonnet.
If the poem follows a traditional form but has untraditional

content, what might be the poets purpose in subverting the
traditional form?
The form and the style of the authors content are very traditional
for that age and time. He speaks about love and nature, which are
very standard themes for poetry and sonnets in general.
If the poem does not follow a traditional form, what sort of
logic structures the poem? For instance, why are the stanzas
broken as they are? What is the relationship among the
stanzas?
Technical form of this poem is a Shakespearean sonnet, the logic of
the poem does not follow the traditional structure three quatrains
dont end in a traditional manner. The octet and sestet break into
two different themes . One about love and the other about nature.
What examples of enjambment can you find? How does the
enjambment affect the sound and meaning of the line?
Enjambment can be seen in lines 56 and lines 78. They emphasize
the buildup of beauty that the steadfast star watches over.
What examples of caesura can you find? What is the impact
of the caesura?
Caesura is seen in line 3 because of the comma, where the author
speaks about the stars watchfulness. In line 9 , the poem takes a
turn dividing the poem into the last 6 lines and the first 8 lines. They
highlight the stars steadfastness, the stars eternal life and his wish
for an ecstatic death.
If the poem has sentences, are they long or short or a
combination of the two? How does the length of the
sentences relate to the meaning of the poem?
The entire poem is a sentence . He makes us wait to see even
describe his steadfast stars action. He then speaks about how this
star is watching, and then he explains what he qualities he doesnt
want to share with the star.
How does the poem use rhyme, meter, form, and poetic
syntax to create sound?
The usual rhyme scheme of the sonnet is disturbed by the near

rhymes of lines 9 and11. The iambic pentameter helps produce a
count, but it doesnt create a singsong sound . The enjambments
and caesuras speed up and down the sound.
How does the poem use repetition, such as alliteration and

assonance, to create sound?
Star, steadfast, splendor and Still creates the repeated s
sound that is present in the poem. The t sound in tender-taken
close to the end. Os are repeated in the Of, Or, and Of in the
first eight lines. (octet)
How do the sounds created in the poem connect to the
meaning of the poem?
The sound helps stress the meaning of some words and emphasizes
their definition. It creates a sense of rhythm which can hammer in
the authors sense of love and longing for his steadfast star.

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Janvi Hathiramani

AP Language and Composition

If the poem follows a traditional form but has untraditional

The usual rhyme scheme of the sonnet is disturbed by the near

How does the poem use repetition, such as alliteration and

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