Tercet: A Poetic Device

Tercet: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Etymology

The term “tercet” originates from the Italian word “terzetto,” which means “a triplet or group of three.” It finds its roots in the Latin word “tertius,” meaning “third.” Tercet refers to a stanza or poetic unit consisting of three lines, often employed in various poetic forms, including terza rima, where the rhyme scheme follows the pattern ABA, BCB, CDC, and so on.

Literal and Conceptual Meanings

• Literal Meaning:
  • A grouping of three lines in a poem or stanza.
  • The structural unit within poetry that consists of three verses.
  • Commonly associated with forms like terza rima, where each tercet follows a specific rhyme scheme.
• Conceptual Meaning:
  • Symbolic representation of unity, balance, or completeness in a poetic structure.
  • Conveys a concise and impactful expression due to its brevity.
  • Invokes a sense of rhythm and continuity, especially in forms like terza rima, where the linkage between tercets creates a flowing pattern.

Tercets, both in their literal and conceptual dimensions, contribute to the beauty and intricacy of poetic composition, offering poets a structured yet versatile form for creative expression.

Tercet: Definition as a Literary/Poetic Device

A tercet is a literary and poetic device comprising three lines that form a complete unit within a poem. It often features a specific rhyme scheme, contributing to the poem’s structure and rhythm. Tercets are widely used in various poetic forms, such as terza rima, providing poets with a compact and organized means of conveying their thoughts and emotions.

Tercet in Literature: Modern Examples

Poem Title	Author	Tercet Example
Across the Street	Austin Segrest	I ran across the street, I didn’t know any better. Ran out in the street, I didn’t know no better. I just knew a woman was there, though I’d never met her.
Alternating Lunes	Philip Good and Bernadette Mayer	Amaryllis comes in many flavors Snow sometimes slants When will politics make improvements?
Cuddly in Camo	Nathan Spoon	Here comes rain on our roof! It stays just long enough To tickle me into writing this.
Ode to Autocorrect	Martha Silano	Because it changes O’Hare to o hate, O hate, o hate — over and over, no matter How many times I retype it. O hate, like
Outbound	Hieu Minh Nguyen	Past the congested interstate, past the long lines Outside the Dorothy Day Center, past the cheering bleachers, The steam rising from the coach’s face, the fathers straining in prayer,
How I Get Ready	Ashleigh Young	What song will they play if I don’t come home tonight? I wished someone would write a song for me, then someone did But it was a song berating me; it was called “Actually, Ashleigh”

Three Old Examples

Poem	Tercet Example
Inspired by “The Convergence of the Twain” (Rhymed AAA)	In the cold depths, the ship met its fate, A tragic dance, an inevitable date, Where ocean and metal sealed their state.
Inspired by “On Spies” (Rhymed AAA)	In shadows unseen, secrets entwine, Whispers in silence, a clandestine sign, On spies’ watch, truth they define.
Inspired by “Ode to the West Wind” (Unrhymed)	Ode to the west wind, thou breath of autumn’s sigh, Bearer of change, thy wild wings apply, Lift my thoughts, in thy tempest, let them fly.

Tercet: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Structural Harmony:
  • In formalist literary theories, tercets contribute to the structural harmony of a poem. The consistent grouping of three lines often creates a balanced and aesthetically pleasing pattern, enhancing the overall composition.
• Rhyme and Meter Analysis:
  • Tercets, whether rhymed or unrhymed, provide opportunities for rhyme and meter analysis. Formalist critics may examine the rhyme scheme and rhythmic patterns within tercets to uncover the poet’s deliberate choices and their impact on the poem’s tone and musicality.
• Narrative Development:
  • In narrative and structuralist theories, the use of tercets can be analyzed in terms of how they contribute to the development of a poem’s narrative. The three-line structure may facilitate the progression of ideas, events, or themes, creating a cohesive and logical flow.
• Emotional Impact:
  • Psychoanalytic literary theories might explore the emotional impact of tercets. The concise yet complete nature of a tercet can evoke specific emotional responses, and theorists may examine how the use of this form influences the reader’s experience and emotional engagement.
• Symbolism and Significance:
  • Semiotic and symbolic theories may focus on the symbolism inherent in the number three and how it manifests in tercets. The triadic structure could be seen as representing balance, completeness, or tension, adding layers of meaning to the text.
• Intertextuality and Allusion:
  • Tercets, especially in the context of traditional poetic forms like terza rima, may be analyzed through intertextual and historical lenses. Critics may explore how poets engage with or deviate from established tercet traditions, considering the impact of allusions and references.
• Experimentation and Innovation:
  • For theorists aligned with avant-garde or postmodern perspectives, tercets can be viewed as a site of experimentation. Poets may use unconventional or fragmented tercet structures to challenge traditional norms and create new modes of expression.
• Cultural and Contextual Analysis:
  • Historical and cultural theorists may examine the use of tercets within specific literary traditions. For example, in terza rima, commonly associated with Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” the cultural and contextual significance of this form can be explored in relation to religious and philosophical themes.
• Reader Response:
  • Reader-response theories may consider how tercets invite reader engagement. The compact nature of each tercet allows for focused contemplation, and theorists may investigate how readers interact with and interpret these condensed poetic units.

Tercet: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Formalism	Focus on the structure, rhyme, and meter of tercets.
Rhyme Scheme	The pattern of rhyming words within the tercet.
Narrative Structure	Analysis of how tercets contribute to story flow.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Exploration of emotional impact in tercets.
Semiotics	Study of symbols and signs, including in tercets.
Intertextuality	Exploration of references and influences in tercets.
Avant-Garde	Focus on experimentation and innovation in tercets.
Historical Context	Examination of tercet use within specific traditions.
Postmodernism	Consideration of tercets challenging traditional norms.
Reader-Response Theory	Analysis of how readers engage with tercets.

Tercet in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy. Oxford University Press, 2008.
2. Attridge, Derek. Poetic Rhythm: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1995.
3. Borroff, Marie. Language and the Poet: Verbal Artistry in Frost, Stevens, and Moore. University of Chicago Press, 1979.
4. Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land. Dover Publications, 1998.
5. Fussell, Paul. Poetic Meter and Poetic Form. McGraw-Hill, 1965.
6. Glück, Louise. A Village Life. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009.
7. Hartman, Charles O. Free Verse: An Essay on Prosody. Northwestern University Press, 1980.
8. Keats, John. The Complete Poems of John Keats. Modern Library, 1994.
9. Rothman, David J. Poetry and the Fate of the Senses. Oxford University Press, 2002.
10. Yeats, W. B. The Tower. Scribner, 1996.