ENGL 467: Computer and Text (Fall 2004)


Freedom and Constraint (posted 29 September 2004)

"The classical playwright who writes his tragedy observing a certain number of familiar rules is freer than the poet who writes that which comes into his head and who is the slave of other rules of which he is ignorant."

--Raymond Queneau

Comments & Trackbacks

Regarding the quote on playwrights vs. poets:

I think it is open to interpretation to decide who is freer. Both playwrights and poets are ignorant to rules that have been set into their minds because of society. Just because a playwright observes the rules does not mean a poet is unaware of them.

Posted by: Jennifer Alpert on September 29, 2004 12:13 PM | Permalink to Comment

Poets might be able to write about anything, but I don't think they are freer. I think it is easier to write something when there are familiar rules. I've always had a harder time writing poems than prose because the "freedom" in poetry really isn't freedom. What makes a good poem is really more open to interpretation, yet plays must have certain characteristics to make them good (characters, plot, setting).

Posted by: Kathleen Moeller on October 3, 2004 09:20 PM | Permalink to Comment