Final answer:
Tone in poetry refers to the attitude or mood conveyed by the poem, influenced by word choice and style. It establishes a connection with the reader and can shift throughout the poem, being essential for understanding the poem's message.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tone in poetry is defined as the general character or attitude that a poem conveys, which can be influenced by the writer's choice of words and style. It plays a critical role in poetry because it helps to establish a connection between the poem and the reader. Tone can shift within a poem, even within a line or over a few lines, making it essential in understanding the overall message and emotional undercurrent of a poem. Word choice, word order, and the speaker's attitude are key in determining a poem's tone.
The concept of tone has been discussed by poets like Billy Collins, who has noted the importance of a poem's tone of voice, especially in modern poetry. With the shift away from traditional meter and rhyme, the tone of voice becomes the system of trust between poet and reader. The voice and tone of a poem can either captivate the reader or leave them feeling disconnected, making tone one of the most elusive but recognizable elements of poetry.
When evaluating the tone of a poem, it is helpful to pay attention to the language used and the speaker's perceived attitude. Analyzing images and tone together can reveal the complexity and layers of meaning within a poem. As showcased in literary examples like Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream, tone can widely vary from dark and scathing to dreamlike and cheerful, helping to set the mood and reader's perception of the piece.