can anyone explain the construction of poetry?

Question

satudying tam o'shanter but am unable to talk about the general construction of the poem as I don't understand it!!!

Thank you to you all...and I'll be buying that book as soon as!!!x

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you are looking for in terms of "construction." It is written in rhyming couplets, four feet per line. IT tells a traditional tale, and might be said to be a modified ballad form.

Other than that, just look at it as a story: it is quite like a ghost story, or kid's tale, with a moral about the dangers of drinking, though it is offered a bit tongue in cheek, I'd say. Talk about how the story is told: what comes first, who the implied speaker is, who the implied audience is, whether it seems to be told as it is happening or about a past event, etc.

Answer 2

If you're really interested in poetry construction, could I perhaps recommend a book which may be of interest. It explains in a humorous fashion the mysteries of 'metre' and poetic forms.
The book is;
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry (Yes, that Stephen Fry)

Best of luck with Tam o'Shanter.

Answer 3

Tam O' Shanter is a narrative poem. (It tells a story). It uses rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor to tell the story.