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Definition of Ottava Rima Stanza
Ottava Rima can be defined as,
“A poetry form in which a poem is written in 8-line octaves. Each line consists of either 10 or 11 syllables and follows the rhyme scheme of abababcc.”
History and Origin
The Ottava Rima in its current form was first created by the Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio, who used it in Theseide for the first time.
It is based on a poetic form then used in Sicily, which used the alternating rhyming scheme however the double rhyme in the last two verses was introduced later on.
Examples of Ottava Rima Stanza Poem
Example #1
I want a hero: an uncommon want, (a)
When every year and month sends forth a new one, (b)
Till, after cloying the gazettes with cant, (a)
The age discovers he is not the true one; (b)
Of such as these I should not care to vaunt, (a)
I’ll therefore take our ancient friend Don Juan— (b)
We all have seen him, in the pantomime, (c)
Sent to the devil somewhat ere his time. (c)
– Don Juan, Canto the First, Stanza I
Example #2
The city winds down from another day,
The hum of business starting to abate.
As workers homeward plod their weary way,
Frustrations from the office dissipate.
Then at the station crowds seethe in dismay –
The trains to take them home are running late.
Some give up, and seek solace in a pub.
But does drink mellow them? Aye, there’s the rub!
Wracked by his guilt, the station master cowers.
Announcers make excuses; porters quail.
The tyrant with unchallenged office powers
Finds here his claims to special status fail.
Disruption to the evening journey sours
The mood of those enfeebled by travail.
Come, god of travel, crack a thunderbolt!
Ignite the longed-for passengers’ revolt!
– Elegy on a Mainline Terminus
More poetry examples of this stanza form can also be found in the works of Milton, Shelley and Keats.
