French Poem Reading & Analysis - Volume 1

Volume 1: 16th & 17th Century Poems

Structure of the explanations

Each explanation comes with a French transcript and English translation, and consists of 5 parts:

1. A slow reading of the poem
2. A verse-by-verse explanation of the poem's vocabulary in simple, every-day French
3. An overview of the life of the author
4. A reachable verse-by-verse explanation of the poem's meaning and images
5. A personal and faster reading of the poem

This volume includes the following poems; make sure you check out the other 8 poems.

1. Heureux Qui Comme Ulysse De Joachim Du Bellay

Created in the 16th century, this classic French poem is written in Middle French; it is not modern, but easily understandable. Once the construction and vocabulary has been explained, it is an easy poem, even for a French beginner.

2. Ode à Cassandre de Pierre de Ronsard

Written in the 16th century for King Charles IX's court – this poem is a very well done exercise of style. Based on a quite common image – a girl and a rose – Ronsard manages to create a graceful and sensual poem that glorifies the game of seduction.

3. Je Vis, Je Meurs De Louise Labbé

The first recognized French poetess, Louise Labbé was born in Lyon, between 1520 and 1525. She was raised during one of the most interesting centuries in literature's history. The Middle Ages were over, and the Italian renaissance was creating a revolution in France's artistic life. The message is simple and still so very modern: love and its torments...

4. La Cigale Et La Fourmi De Jean De La Fontaine

Like most of La Fontaine's fables, "La Cigale et la Fourmi" is not a story that he invented. Drawing inspiration from oral traditions and the fables of Aesop and other poets of Greek and Roman antiquity La Fontaine changes the classic fable by omitting the moral. Why? Listen to the poem's analysis to find out.

How to work with these poem readings & analyses?

Audio

The more you listen to the audio, the more you will understand. The slow reading and explanation of the vocabulary are easier. The life of the author and poem analysis, harder. Concentrate on the part that is best suited for your level and repeat, repeat, repeat.

French transcript

If you don’t understand something in the audio – even after several repetitions – check the French transcript. Why didn’t you get it? Was it because of the vocabulary or because of the pronunciation? Use the transcript to read out loud, mimicking my pronunciation.

English transcript

Use it as a last resort, to check the exact meaning of something. These are only some pointers. You know best what you need to work on: understanding faster, working on your linking words, being able to stay focussed over a long recording, or again work on your pronunciation. The uses of these analyses are endless, so find the combination that works best for you. And remember, repetition is the key...