18 Questions
What literary device is used in the phrase 'the syntax of love'?
Metaphor
How does the structure of 'Syntax' differ from the conventional sonnet form?
It has neither a consistent rhyme scheme nor a set meter.
What is the effect of enjambment in the first three lines of the poem?
It creates an interconnection of thoughts.
What is the purpose of the repetition of the phrase 'I love' in the first stanza?
To emphasize the speaker's emotions.
What is the couplet in the poem?
The last two lines of the poem.
What is the significance of the poem's syntax?
It is unconventional and uses short sentences.
What is the purpose of using metaphor in poetry?
To describe an object, person, situation, or action in a way that helps a reader understand it
What is the term for the reuse of words, phrases, images, or structures multiple times within a poem?
Repetition
What is the term for the pattern of similar sounding words used in a poem?
Rhyme
What is the term for the arrangement of two syllables in which both are stressed?
Spondee
What is the term for the use of language effectively in writing or speech to persuade the audience?
Rhetoric
In the poem 'Syntax' by Carol Ann Duffy, what is the speaker's desired way of expressing love?
Using the words 'thou' and 'thee'
What is the central theme of Carol Ann Duffy's poem 'Syntax'?
The unconventional expression of love
What literary device is used in the phrase 'surprising language of love lands like a lover's warm touch'?
Metaphor
What is the significance of the speaker's use of the archaic term 'thou' in the poem?
To reorder the sentence structure and challenge conventional expression
What is the poet's view on the conventional expression of love?
It is inadequate to express the complexity of love
How does the speaker's syntax of love originate, according to the poem?
From the gaze of the lover and the heart of the speaker
What is the title of the poetry collection in which 'Syntax' is featured?
Rapture
Study Notes
Poem Overview
- 'Syntax' is a modern love sonnet written by Carol Ann Duffy, former Poet Laureate of the UK.
- The poem is part of her 2005 collection "Rapture", known for its innovative expression of love and relationships.
Language and Structure
- The poem uses wordplay and repetition to convey the idea that love is more than the order of sentences.
- The language is emotive and unconventional, with the speaker using the archaic term "thou" and reordering the sentence as "Thou I love".
- The poem consists of two sestets and a couplet, with no rhyming scheme and an unconventional meter.
- The syntax is unconventional, with short sentences and occasional omission of verbs.
Literary Devices
- Enjambment is used to create an interconnection of thoughts, particularly in the first three lines.
- Metaphors include "syntax of love" and "the sound of the shape of the start of a kiss".
- A simile is used in the first stanza to compare what the speaker calls her partner and the sound of a kiss.
- Palilogy is used in several instances, including the repetition of the phrase "I love" four times in the first stanza.
Key Themes
- The poem explores the theme of love and its expression, suggesting that it originates from the heart rather than just being a sentence structure.
- The speaker emphasizes the importance of using the right words to convey love, using innovative language and syntax to do so.
Test your knowledge of Carol Ann Duffy's poem 'Syntax', its structure, and themes. This quiz explores the modern sonnet's rhyme scheme, the speaker's emotions, and more.
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