Question:
Can odes be about something you hate?
2010-05-26 14:53:53 UTC
I wrote an ode for English about how Marijuana ruins people's lives... But my teacher said that odes have to be about things you love, not hate. I'm wondering if anyone has a better answer? I read somewhere a definition that just sounded like an ode is a poem about something you are passionate about.. What do you guys think?
Four answers:
?
2010-05-26 15:10:56 UTC
Your teacher is SO correct! Its purpose is to praise and glorify.
JenGen
2010-05-26 23:50:13 UTC
The dictionary definition of the word ode is

1. In early use (esp. with reference to ancient literature): a poem intended to be sung or one written in a form originally used for sung performance

2. Later: a lyric poem, typically one in the form of an address to a particular subject, written in varied or irregular metre. Also in extended use.

Traditionally, an ode (in this sense) rarely exceeded 150 lines and could be much shorter...The term is sometimes applied to certain short Old English poems, such as The Battle of Brunanburh.



I was under the impression an ode had to about something one loved but this does not seem to be true. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5784



This site says

"The subject matter of the ode tends to be celebratory, and of a particular subject matter or personage (ode to my sister, ode on a box of crayons, &c). Keep in mind when titling your odes, that typically an ode "to" something is written as address, with second-person reference (a "You" entity and an "I" entity). An ode "on" something is more detached and written with third person reference to the subject matter."

http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/article.html?id=609



"tends to be" does not mean "has to be".

Write your teacher an essay on it!



IMO an ode should be reflective (not "has to be"). Perhaps your ode was too active - an incitement to action, or to whip up anger on the topic.



(I do however agree with midnightmoon re marijuana. )
2010-05-26 23:21:35 UTC
By definition, no, odes cannot be about something you hate.



Although, I strongly disagree with your opinion about marijuana. While some people choose to use it irresponsibly and choose to let it ruin their life, marijuana in and of itself does not, and people who use it responsibly do not find themselves in a situation where marijuana ruined their life.
Andrea
2010-05-26 21:56:24 UTC
yea, they can be on something you hate

You teacher is retarded, ahahha

I did an ode to my school, which I hate a lotttt


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