CAVAFY… a little bit more

Why? Shakespeare survived 500 years because…? Chaucer survived 900 years because…? Folk history (eg. Grimm’s fairytales) survived 400 years because…? THE STORIES AND IDEAS ARE STILL RELEVANT – THE ONLY CHANGE IN THE LANGUAGE

WHY STUDY POETRY? “Out of our quarrels with others we make rhetoric. Out of our quarrels with ourselves we make poetry.” ~ William Butler Yeats

WHY STUDY POETRY? Poetry is everywhere: in Scripture, books, in cards, on mugs, in songs… it is EVERYWHERE! THERE IS NO ES-CAP-EE!

What I think about poetry… Poetry is the study and expression of self: self-awareness, feelings and emotions, love, hate, politics and everything in between Without poetry we would not understand the thoughts and emotions of others Without poetry we would not write songs (for what are they if not a form of poetry) Poetry allows us to explore and share our inner-most thoughts

So why study poetry…? If poetry is the study and expression of self then do we not learn from it? Yes, we learn language features, but only so as to fully understand the true meaning of the poet – What he is really trying to say? If a poet or song writer has a serious message (as quite often they do), would you recognise it if you had not learnt how to deconstruct and pull it apart? Would you understand the ideas of irony, mood and tone OR would you read merely what is front of you? Eg. ‘Look at those proud soldiers marching by…’ (from a soldier who lost his brother, son and legs in war…)

Is Cavafy’s poetry still relevant? This year alone there is an entire concert dedicated in honour of his poetry and there is an exhibition for Ithaca 1. Exhibition The theme of the exhibition will be Ithaca. The invited artists from all over the world have made an original artwork that is inspired by the poem ´Ithaca´ of the Greek poet Konstantinos Kaváfis (Cavafy). Kaváfis (Cavafy) was miraculously born and deceased on the same day in Egypt: the 29th of April ( ). The poet wants to encourage us very passionately only to look for the important things in life. There is also a certain wistful desire to treasure by art what would be positively be lost. World Art Delft will celebrate the end of the exhibition on the 29th of April: the birthday and dying day of Kaváfis (Cavafy). ExhibitionExhibition WAD POETRY PROJECT IV 29 January April 2011

Is Cavafy’s poetry still relevant? Do we understand the ideas of hiding behind a mask? Do we understand the idea of continually putting off life? (I’ll do it tomorrow…) Do we understand the fear of death? Do we understand the fear of time? Do we regret things in our lives? Do we look back and say ‘If only I…’

Modern Day Ithaca

Ithaca: Legendary home of… This guy… (Odysseus) And Queen Penelope…

Survival 101: How to escape via sheep

MOOD AND TONE Tone is what the author/narrator's attitude is towards the text Mood is the reader's attitude toward the text. Mood and Tone Man What the author or narrator thinks and feels about a piece (which is why the tone box is located on the man's head), and that mood is what YOU feel about the work (which is why the mood box is over the man's heart).

"Tone is a particular way of expressing feelings or attitudes that will influence how the reader feels about the characters, events, and outcomes. Speakers show tone more easily than writers because they can use voice tone, gesture, and facial expressions. A writer must use words alone."

Even movie makers strive to set a certain tone and mood for their work Just like an author uses word choice and vivid imagery to set tone and mood, movie makers use dialogue, editing, music and lighting to establish a certain tone within their films.

Authors Purpose What is the point of this poem? Why did the author write about this idea? Is he challenging our thoughts? How? Which poetic devices lend themselves to the authors purpose? Questions to ask and answer