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Poetic invocation

Device
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

A formal appeal or call to a muse, deity, or abstract force at the beginning of a poem for inspiration or aid

Detailed Definition
Poetic invocation is a formal address to a muse, deity, or abstract force at a poem’s outset, requesting inspiration or guidance; derived from epic tradition (e.g., Homer’s “Sing, O goddess…”), it establishes tone, scope, and the poet’s humility before a higher creative power.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles” (Homer); “Muse, inspire my song” (Sappho fragment); “O for a Muse of fire” (Shakespeare, Henry V); “Daughter of Memory, great Urania” (Milton, Paradise Lost)
Additional Notes
Poetic invocation: A formal address to a muse, deity, or abstract force at a poem’s outset, seeking inspiration; common in epic and lyric traditions; see also song apostrophe (10086).
Also Known As
Muse-calling Divine address Inspirational plea Ode-opening entreaty Lyric apostrophe
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