The document outlines an assignment requiring a detailed analysis of a poem or painting from the specified historical period, emphasizing the development of a coherent and focused argument rather than mere summary. Key aspects to consider include themes, structure, language, tone, and symbolism, while also considering the cultural context and potential critical lenses. Students are encouraged to express their interpretations and theories, supported by evidence, and to maintain a clear thesis statement throughout their analysis.

1. The poem analysis updated 2023
“Your task is to analyze a poem or a painting from the time period this course is concerned with,
4001789, in light of our topic. (It can be from any culture,
but it has to be from our time period.) This could be love in its various guises, from religious to
conjugal to amical to erotic; but it could also have to do with rivalry,
competition, hatred, and other forms of violent desire. Make sure you develop and maintain a
focused, coherent argument. Length: min. 1,200 words.”
This assignment is asking you to develop a focused, coherent argument about an art work. You
are not just summarizing the poem or describing the painting, you are also making a claim about
it; IOW, you need to go beyond facts and observations and discuss the significance, the
implications.
What is it that you can help your reader understand?
Where might the reader be misled by superficial assumptions, or by other critics?
What is it that so many people misunderstand?
In short, where is the problem, the tension, the surprise, the debate?
Pay attention to the content (the story, characters, speaker, themes, symbols,
details that stand out) and to the form (rhyme and meter, structure, images; color, line, shape,
composition, texture). Make sure you relate these aspects to your argument.

2. You might want to consider the historical, cultural, or artistic background (a time of crisis and
uncertainty?
of intercultural contacts? of innovation? Does the artist conform to a certain tradition or model?
or break with expectations? What made the artist believe that another work on this subject was
necessary?
Does it stand out from similar ones?); the audience (for whom was this made?
who was meant to see and enjoy this?);
the setting (where was this exhibited?). Again, discuss what this means in your context.
You could also try to apply a critical lens (feminism, Marxism, etc.) to the art work. Or you
might consider
what light the work can shed on a larger issue (e.g., feudalism, religion). Or you could compare
two different translations of the same poem.
Your argument will be reflected in a thesis statement somewhere at the beginning of your essay.
This provides a succinct summary of what you have to say and answers your research question.
Test it be asking these three questions:
1. Is it debatable or too factual?
2. Is it focused or too broad, too vague?
3. Is it insightful or boring and dependent on the views of others?
Your most important task is to establish and maintain an argument.

3. As for the content, I have no set expectations beyond the general topic (love, sex, desire,
romance, rivalry).
You are free to interpret what you saw or read, to draw your own conclusions from it, and to
express an opinion. You are encouraged to take a chance, to posit a theory, or to speculate.
However, you are also expected to limit the scope of your opinion and to valida
it. You must offer support for your theory.
Contrary to what you may have learned in high school, it is fine to use the first person singular
(I). I do it all the time. And yes, you may start sentences with and or but. But only if it works!
Poem analysis
Poem analysis refers to the process of examining a poem closely, dissecting its various elements,
and interpreting its meaning, themes, structure, language, and poetic devices. It involves a
detailed study and critical analysis of the poem’s content and form to gain a deeper
understanding of the poet’s intentions and the poem’s significance.
When analyzing a poem, there are several key aspects to consider:
1. Theme: The central idea or message conveyed by the poem. It can be explicit or implicit
and often explores universal human experiences, emotions, or philosophical concepts.
2. Structure: The organization and arrangement of the poem’s lines, stanzas, and overall
form. It includes examining the poem’s rhyme scheme, meter, rhythm, and any unique
patterns or repetitions.

4. 3. Language and Imagery: The specific words, phrases, and figures of speech used by the
poet to create vivid imagery, evoke emotions, or convey complex ideas. Metaphors,
similes, personification, and other literary devices are often employed to enhance the
poem’s impact.
4. Tone and Mood: The attitude or emotional atmosphere that the poem creates. It involves
analyzing the poet’s choice of words, rhythm, and imagery to determine the overall
feeling or tone of the poem, whether it’s joyful, melancholic, celebratory, or
introspective.
5. Symbolism: The use of symbols or symbolic language to represent abstract ideas,
concepts, or emotions. Symbols can be objects, colors, animals, or even certain words or
phrases that carry deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretations.
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