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Carmen figuratum

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An ancient shaped poem where the visual arrangement of text forms a pictorial image related to its subject matter.

Detailed Definition
Carmen figuratum (Latin for “figured poem”) is an early term for concrete or shaped poetry, where the text’s layout forms a symbolic image related to its content—such as an altar or wings—dating back to Hellenistic and Renaissance traditions of visual-verbal fusion.
Example
Example in poetry:
Carmen figuratum (figure poem) shapes text to depict subject: Simmias of Rhodes’ “Wings” outlines wings; George Herbert’s “Easter Wings” is a Christian carmen figuratum; contemporary examples include poems shaped like trees or protest signs; the form dates to Hellenistic Greece; carmen figuratum merges visual art and poetry for mnemonic or devotional effect
Additional Notes
Pattern poem or technopaignia where text forms visual shapes. Ancient Greek origin; revived in Baroque era. George Herbert's "Easter Wings" exemplifies English tradition. See also: concrete poetry.
Also Known As
Pattern poem figured verse shaped Latin poem visual carmen
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