Chroesawa; fàilte; welcome!
In this class, we will be learning and using a few of the Welsh and Celtic forms and the art of wreathed poetry.
The emphasis is on rhyme and sound rather than meter so I strongly recommend some previous study of rhyme such as JM Kenyon'sThe Theory of Rhyme classes here on AP.
The travelling bard was first and foremost an entertainer therefore the class is intended to be fun as well as educational.
Bardic Verse of the Welsh and Celts 1 consists of:
Lesson 1. Chroesawa; fàilte; welcome! - Meet and greet!
Lesson 2. Basic Tool Kit ~ Syllable Counts - A short exercise in syllable counting and writing with set syllable lines.
Lesson 3. Basic Tool Kit ~ Rhyming Time - Exercise and practice identifying and using rhyme schemes.
Lesson 4. Form: Cyhydedd Fer - A Welsh form consisting of couplets.
Lesson 5. Form: Englyn Milwr (The Soldier's Englyn) - A short Welsh form consisting of a triplet.
Lesson 6. Form: Ae Freslighe - An Irish quatrain form and an introduction to dunedh (end as you begin) techniques.
Lesson 7. Form: Clogyrnach - A Welsh sestet stanza form.
Lesson 8. Form: Rhupunt - The long and the short form.
Lesson 9. Form: Rannaigheacht Ghairid - An Irish quatrain stanza form.
Lesson 10. Wreathed Poetry - An introduction to wreathing end line words into another line.
Lesson 11. Ffarwel; soraidh; farewell - A chance for you to give me some feedback on what you liked and disliked about the course.
This class is designed to teach the basic structures and requirements of the forms. Your commitment and effort are important. There is no time limit on completion of assignments however.
The Bards chatted and shared stories over flagons of ale. Therefore, I encourage you to make use of the class chat and question boards, unfortunately I cannot provide the ale. After you have completed this course, you are invited to join the Bardic Verse of the Welsh and Celts 2 class where we can continue to work together and explore the more complicated forms.
Ceridwen
Taught by Ceridwens Soul. Teaching assistants: Epistomolus.
