ANALYSIS OF THE POEM THE MARTYR

I. OBJECTIVES

1. Analyze the figures of speech and other literary techniques and devices used in the text.
2. Appreciate a poem.

II. SUBJECT MATTER

a. Selection: The Martyr

b. Skills:
1. Analyzing the figures of speech and other literary techniques and devices used in the
text.
2. Appreciating a poem.
c. Topic: Poem Analysis
d. Reference: 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
e. Materials: powerpoint presentation, video clips, hand-outs

III. PROCEDURE

A. Motive Question: Have you ever been in love? (Call students to share insights.)

B. Motivation:
Students will listen to the song “Have you ever been in love?” by Celine Dion. Ask what is
the theme of the song. Call some students to share insights.

C. Introduction of the Author:

Show a picture. Let the students guess who is it. Ask the students what they know about him.
Then, give a background of the author.

D. Words to ponder:

Ponder on the diagram

LOVE

DESTINY FORGIVENESS

E. During Reading:
1. First reading of the poem by the students
2. Second reading of the poem by the teacher
3. Third reading of the poem by the teacher and the students
The Martyr
By Nick Joaquin

Being in love means never having to say you’re sorry

After all, at some point in your life
That love was the most important thing to you,
That love might be the one that you hoped would last forever,
That love made you believe that destiny does exist,
And that love made you question,
Why you were afraid to fall in love in the first place.

And that time in your life,

Everything just seemed so perfect,
Everything seemed so beautiful,
Everything seemed to glow for you,
And you were my everything.

I wouldn’t even think twice about sacrificing my own happiness for yours,
I was even willing to bare up this walled but crumpled heart of mine,
Just so I could be with you.
All I ever did was care for you.
All I ever did was to make you happy.
And all I ever did was love you.

Being on love means never having to say you’re sorry

But I needed to ask forgiveness from the one who was hurt most…
Myself.

F. Discussion of the Poem:

Ask the following questions to the students.
1. What are the definitions of love given in the poem?
2. What is the poem all about?
3. Why do you think the poem is entitled The Martyr?
4. Was there a time in your life that you’ve been martyr because of love? Why?
5. What emotions are present in the poem? Cite lines proving the emotion you cited.
6. Would you still choose to love even if gets you pain and sacrifice? Why?
G. Engagement Activity:
1. Present the Big Six as a tool for analyzing a poem.

2. Divide the class into six groups. Let the students analyze the poem as to the following:
Group 1. Title
Group 2. Speaker
Group 3. Theme
Group 4. Tools
Group 5. Turns
Group 6. Paraphrase
 3. Each group will have a representative to present what they had talked about.
H. Literary Extender:
Divide the class into three groups. Let them create a spoken poetry, a skit presentation and a
modified song portraying martyrs in love

I. Across Curriculum:
Let the students cite examples of acts of being a martyr in love here in our country.

IV. EVALUATION
Read and analyze the poem that follows.

Prayer
By Francisco Arcellana

Close all open things, Lord.

Open all closed things.
All those who have long received, let them give.
All those who have long given, let them receive.
All those too long apart, let them come together.
All those too long together, sunder them.
Let the wise be fools for once, Lord.
And let the fools speak their mind
Affirm the long-denied, Lord.
Fulfill the unfulfilled.

V. ASSIGNMENT
What is a flash fiction? Look for an example of a flash fiction.