Palinode
A palinode or palinody is an ode in which the writer retracts a view or sentiment expressed in an earlier poem. The first recorded use of a palinode is in a poem by Stesichorus in the 7th century BC, in which he retracts his earlier statement that the Trojan War was all the fault of Helen.[citation needed]
The word comes from the Greek παλινῳδία from πάλιν (palin, meaning 'back') and ᾠδή ("song"); the Latin-derived equivalent "recantation" is an exact calque (re- meaning 'again' and cant- meaning 'sing').
It can also be a recantation of a defamatory statement in Scots Law.
Examples
Chaucer's Retraction is one example of a palinode.
In 1895, Gelett Burgess wrote his famous poem, the Purple Cow:
- I never saw a purple cow.
- I never hope to see one.
- But I can tell you anyhow
- I'd rather see than be one.[1]
Later in his life, he followed it with this palinode:
- Ah yes, I wrote the purple cow!
- I’m sorry now I wrote it!
- But I can tell you anyhow,
- I’ll kill you if you quote it![2]
Ogden Nash wrote a palinode in relation to his most famous poem about the dandiness of candy, and quickness of liquor:
- Nothing makes me sicker
- than liquor
- and candy
- is too expandy
Palinodes have also been created by many medieval writers such as Augustine, Bede, Giraldus Cambrensis, Jean de Meun, Andreas Capellanus and others.
References
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- ↑ Oxford Dictionary of Quotations p.162
