Terza Rima: A Poeic Device

Terza Rima: Etymology, Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Terza Rima: Etymology

The term “Terza Rima” originates from Italian, translating to “third rhyme.” This poetic form finds its roots in medieval Italian literature, specifically in Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” where he employed it for the epic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. The structure involves interlocking tercets, or three-line stanzas, with a rhyme scheme where the second line of one stanza rhymes with the first and third lines of the following stanza. This intricate rhyme scheme contributes to the flow and musicality of the poetry.

Terza Rima: Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Literal Meanings	Conceptual Meanings
Rhyme Scheme (ABA, BCB, CDC, etc.)	Interconnection and Progression: Reflects a linked and continuous flow of ideas or narrative within the poem.
Tercet Structure	Unity and Completion: Each tercet forms a self-contained unit, yet the continuous rhyme creates unity across stanzas.
Dante’s Influence	Spiritual Journey: In Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” Terza Rima conveys the journey through different realms, mirroring the progression of the soul.
Musicality and Harmony	Aesthetic Pleasure: The structured rhyme scheme contributes to the musical and harmonious quality of the verse.

Terza Rima serves as both a structural framework and a poetic device, offering a unique combination of order and fluidity in conveying complex narratives or contemplative themes.

Terza Rima: Definition as a Literary Device/Poetic Device

Terza Rima, a poetic device, is characterized by interlocking tercets, typically in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme (ABA, BCB, CDC, and so on). This form of verse creates a structured and connected flow in poetry, as the second line of one tercet rhymes with the first and third lines of the subsequent tercet. Widely recognized for its historical use in Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” Terza Rima offers poets a versatile framework for exploring diverse themes while maintaining a sense of unity and coherence in their works.

Terza Rima: Structural Elements

Structural Element	Description
Rhyme Scheme	Interlocking tercets with a specific rhyme scheme where the second line of one tercet rhymes with the first and third lines of the next (ABA, BCB, CDC, and so on).
Tercet Structure	Consists of three lines per stanza, contributing to a sense of unity and completeness within each unit.
Iambic Pentameter	Typically written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line, emphasizing a rhythmic and formal quality in the verse.
Versatility	Allows poets to explore various themes and narratives while maintaining a coherent and interconnected progression in the poem.
Historical Significance	Notably used by Dante Alighieri in his “Divine Comedy,” showcasing its suitability for conveying epic journeys and complex narratives.

Terza Rima in Literature: Examples

• From Second Satire
  • Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-42)

My mother’s maids, when they did sew and spin, They sang sometimes a song of the field mouse, That for because their livelihood was but so thin.

In this stanza, the rhyme scheme is ABA. The first and third lines rhyme with each other (spin and thin), and the second line sets up a new rhyme (mouse) that is picked up by the subsequent tercet.

• Country Song
  • Nicholas Breton (1545-1626)

Shall we go dance the hay, the hay? Never pipe could ever play Better shepherd’s roundelay.

The rhyme scheme here is ABA. The first and third lines rhyme (hay and roundelay), and the second line introduces a new rhyme (play) that is then picked up by the next tercet.

• The Eagle
  • Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-92)

He clasps the crag with crooked hands: Close to the sun it lonely lands, Ringed with the azure world, it stands.

This stanza follows the ABA rhyme scheme. The first and third lines (hands and stands) rhyme, and the second line introduces a new rhyme (lands) that continues in the next tercet.

• From Two Voices
  • Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-92)

A still small voice spake unto me: ‘Thou art so full of misery, Were it not better not to be?’

The rhyme scheme is ABA. The first and third lines (me and be) rhyme, and the second line introduces a new rhyme (misery) that carries into the next tercet.

• Reduced Circumstances
  • Harvey Stanbrough (1954– )

He wasn’t always stretched that way, you know strained through that fine sieve and powdered out into polite society, a mote

The rhyme scheme in this stanza is ABA. The first and third lines (know and mote) rhyme, and the second line introduces a new rhyme (out) that is continued in the next tercet.

In terza rima, the end rhyme of the second line in each tercet sets up the rhyme for the first and third lines of the following tercet. This interlocking rhyme scheme creates a sense of continuity and unity throughout the poem.

Terza Rima in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Terza Rima
Formalism	Appreciation of the structured rhyme scheme and its impact on the poem’s form.
New Criticism	Focus on the inherent meaning derived from the interplay of form and content within the Terza Rima structure.
Historical Criticism	Examination of Terza Rima’s historical significance, particularly its association with Dante’s “Divine Comedy.”
Structuralism	Analysis of the relationships and patterns created by the repeated rhyme scheme in Terza Rima.
Reader-Response Criticism	Exploration of how readers engage with the rhyme pattern and its influence on their interpretation of the text.
Poststructuralism	Deconstruction of traditional forms, including Terza Rimas, to challenge and question established literary norms.
Postmodernism	Incorporation and reimagining of traditional forms like Terza Rimas in a contemporary and experimental context.
Comparative Literature	Comparison of Terza Rimas with other poetic forms across different cultures and time periods.
Feminist Criticism	Examination of how Terza Rima has been used to express or challenge gender-related themes in literature.

Terza Rima in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Terza Rima	Tercets with a rhyme scheme connecting stanzas.
Rhyme Scheme	Pattern of rhymes, crucial to Terza Rima’s music.
Interlocking Structure	Connection between tercets in Terza Rima.
Cyclic Closure	Sense of completeness as rhyme scheme circles back.
Tercet	Three-line stanza, basic unit of Terza Rima.
Formalism	Literary theory valuing Terza Rima’s structured form.
Modern Adaptation	Continued use and experimentation with Terza Rima.
Symbolism	Exploration of meaning through Terza Rima’s pattern.

Terza Rima in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Boulton, Marjorie. The Anatomy of Poetry (Routledge Revivals). Routledge, 2014.
2. Oliver, Mary. A Poetry Handbook. Harcourt Brace, 1994.
3. Koch, Kenneth. Making Your Own Days: The Pleasures of Reading and Writing Poetry. Scribner, 1998.
4. Fry, Stephen. The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within. Gotham Books, 2006.
5. Gioia, Dana. The Art of Poetry. Pearson, 2012.
6. Kunitz, Stanley and Hayward, Maxine. The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms. W. W. Norton & Company, 2000.
7. Strand, Mark and Boland, Eavan. The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms. W. W. Norton & Company, 2000.
8. Gardner, John. The Art of Fiction. Vintage, 1985.
9. Guerin, Wilfred L., et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. Oxford UP, 2019.