Closed-Form Poetry

Closed-Form Poetry Sonnets, Sestinas, and Rondeaus

The Sonnet

Sonnet Forms • The traditional sonnet comes in two forms: English and Italian. • English sonnets are classified as either Shakespearean or Spenserian. • Italian sonnets are often referred to as Petrarchan sonnets. • Despite their differences, all sonnets contain 14 lines of poetry and are typically written in iambic pentameter.

The Shakespearean Sonnet • The Shakespearean sonnet is the most common sonnet form. • Shakespearean sonnets are written using three quatrains followed by a couplet. • The rhyme scheme is: • ABAB CDCD EFEF GG • Shakespearean sonnets are usually written as a single stanza, with no space between the quatrains and couplet.

The Spenserian Sonnet • The Spenserian sonnet is another English sonnet form used primarily by medieval author Edmund Spenser. • It also is written using three quatrains and one couplet. • The rhyme scheme is: • ABAB BCBC CDCD EE • Like the Shakespearean form, Spenserian sonnets are written as a single stanza.

The Shakespearean Sonnet(Can be modified as Spenserian) • A • B First QUATRAIN • A Image or example #1 • B • C • D Second QUATRAIN • C Image or example #2 • D • E • F Third QUATRAIN • E Image or example #3 • F • G COUPLET • G Commentary on the preceding ideas

The Petrarchan Sonnet • The Petrarchan sonnet is an Italian sonnet form popularized by Francesco Petrarch. • The Petrarchan sonnet is written using one octave followed by a sestet. • The rhyme scheme is: • ABBAABBA CDECDE • The rhyme scheme of the Petrarchan sonnet can vary, but the above is most common. • The Petrarchan sonnet is often written in two stanzas: one for the octave, and one for the sestet.

The Petrarchan Sonnet • A • B • B • A An OCTAVE—the first eight lines • A States a proposition or • B raises a problem/question. • B • A • C • D • E A SESTET—the last six lines • C Applies the proposition or • D solves/answers the problem/question. • E

The Sestina

Sestinas • Sestinas are highly-structured poems containing thirty-nine lines. • They are designed using six sestets followed by a single tercet (three lines) often called the envoy or tornada. • The trick to sestinas is that the same six words end the six sestets, but in different orders.

Sestina Structure • Sestet 1: 123456 • Sestet 2: 615243 • Sestet 3: 364125 • Sestet 4: 532614 • Sestet 5: 451362 • Sestet 6: 246531 • Tercet: • Line 1: 6,2 • Line 2: 1,4 • Line 3: 5,3 • Example of the end of the first two sestets: • Word • Book • English • Read • Novel • Poem • Poem • Word • Novel • Book • Read • English

The Rondeau

Rondeaus • A Rondeau is a highly-structured form of French poetry. • Rondeaus are written using 15 lines, working around two rhymes. • The 15 lines are divided typically into three five-line stanzas, though this varies.

Rondeau Structure • The following is a typical rondeau form used in English poetry: • Stanza 1: AABBA • Stanza 2: AAB C (refrain) • Stanza 3:AABBA C(refrain) • Notice that this rondeau form divides the 15 lines differently, but that is okay!

Rondeau Example • WE wear the mask that grins and lies, (A) It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— (A) This debt we pay to human guile; (B) With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, (B) And mouth with myriad subtleties. (A) • Why should the world be over-wise, (A) In counting all our tears and sighs? (A) Nay, let them only see us, while (B) We wear the mask. (Refrain) • We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries (A) To thee from tortured souls arise. (A) We sing, but oh the clay is vile (B) Beneath our feet, and long the mile; (B) But let the world dream otherwise, (A) We wear the mask! (Refrain) • “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Your Assignment • Write one closed-form poem (not one of each). Your choices are: • a sonnet • a sestina • a rondeau • You must follow the form precisely. • Your poem will be due on Tuesday, January 22.

Closed-Form Poetry