The Anatomy of Poetry

235 Pages·2013·2.14 MB·English

by  Marjorie Boulton

Routledge Revivals
The Anatomy of Poetry
It is impossible to appreciate poetry fully without some knowledge of the various
aspects of poetic technique. First published in 1953, with a second edition in 1982,
this title explains all the usual technical terms in an accessible manner. Marjorie
Boulton shows that it is possible to approach a poem from a business-like
perspective without losing enjoyment. This reissue will be of particular value to
students of English Literature as well as those with a general interest in the
specifics of poetry.
The Anatomy of Poetry
Marjorie Boulton
With a Foreword by L. A. G. Strong
First published in 1953
Second edition 1982
by Routledge & Kegan Paul
This edition first published in 2013 by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 1953, 1982 Marjorie Boulton
The right of Marjorie Boulton to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance
with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Publisher’s Note
The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some
imperfections in the original copies may be apparent.
Disclaimer
The publisher has made every effort to trace copyright holders and welcomes correspondence from those
they have been unable to contact.
A Library of Congress record exists under LC control number: 82003651
ISBN 13: 978-0-415-72224-7 (hbk)
ISBN 13: 978-1-315-85836-4 (ebk)
THE ANATOMY OF POETRY
by
MARJORIE BOULTON
with a foreword by
L. A. G. STRONG
Revised edition
First published in 1953
by Routledge & Kegan Paul Limited
39 Store Street, London WC1E 7DD,
9 Park Street, Boston, Mass. 02108, USA,
296 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park
Melbourne, 3206, Australia and
Broadway House, Newtown Road
Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1EN
Reprinted 1955, 1959, 1962, 1968, 1970,
1974, 1977 and 1979
Second edition revised and reset 1982
Set in Bembo, 10 on 12pt by
Rowland Phototypesetting, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Printed in Great Britain by
Redwood Burn Ltd, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
© Marjorie Boulton 1953, 1982
No part of this book may be reproduced in
any form without permission from the
publisher, except for the quotation
of brief passages in criticism
Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data
Boulton, Marjorie.
The anatomy of poetry.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. Poetics. I. Title.
PN1042.B61982 808.1 82-3651
ISBN 0-7100-9087-0 AACR2
To
HENRY TREECE
the best teacher I ever had
and a most loyal
and understanding friend
CONTENTS
FOREWORD BY L. A. G. STRONG
PREFACE
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
I THE IMPORTANCE OF FORM
II THE PHYSICAL FORM OF POETRY
III RHYTHM: (A) METRE
IV RHYTHM: (B) VARIATION: COUNTERPOINT
V PHONETIC FORM: (A) RHYME
VI PHONETIC FORM: (B) ONOMATOPOEIA
VII PHONETIC FORM: (C) INTERNAL PATTERN
VIII FORM IN INTONATION
IX THE USE OF REPETITION: (A) INTELLECTUAL EFFECT
X THE USE OF REPETITION: (B) PURE MAGICAL EFFECT
XI INTELLECTUAL FORM: THE MAIN TYPES OF POETRY
XII INTELLECTUAL FORM: LOGICAL SEQUENCE
XIII INTELLECTUAL FORM: THE USE OF ASSOCIATIONS
XIV INTELLECTUAL FORM: THE TWO MAIN PATTERNS OF IMAGERY
XV SOME TRADITIONAL VERSE FORMS
XVI FREE VERSE
XVII THE CHOICE OF WORDS
XVIII TWO POEMS ANATOMIZED
XIX HOW NOT TO APPROACH POETRY
XX SOME TWENTIETH-CENTURY TECHNIQUES