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What is a Cento to you?
Hi,
What is a Cento to you?
To me it's inspiration from a favorite poet.
Like and old house that needs improvement or additions.
Or a new roof lol.
I was wondering if I could post my centos????
I have 2...
Ispired by
Poe, and Dickinson
John E. WordSlinger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cento_(poetry)
In poetry, a cento is a work wholly composed of verses or passages taken from other authors; only disposed in a new form or order.
The term comes from the Latin cento, a cloak made of patches; and that from the Greek êåíôïíéïí. The Roman soldiers used these centos, or old stuffs patched over each other, to guard themselves from the strokes of their enemies. Others say, that centos were probably used for the patches of leather, etc, with which their galleries or screens, called vineae, were covered; under which the besiegers made their approaches towards any place. Hence centonarii, the people whose business was to prepare these centos.[1]
Ausonius laid down the rules to be observed in composing centos. The pieces, he says, may be taken either from the same poet, or from several. The verses may be either taken in their entirety, or divided into two; one half to be connected with another half taken elsewhere. Two verses should never be used running, nor much less than half a verse be taken. In accordance with these rules, he made a cento from Virgil.
Last edited by WordSlinger 03-31-2009 at 05:09:35 PM
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