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Sonnets

Sonnets. Definition. A sonnet (“little song”) is a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter The poet takes two different subjects that are related in some way, and communicates that to the reader Three types Italian (Petrarchan) English (Spenserian) English (Shakespearean). Rhythm.

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Sonnets

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  1. Sonnets

  2. Definition • A sonnet (“little song”) is a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter • The poet takes two different subjects that are related in some way, and communicates that to the reader • Three types • Italian (Petrarchan) • English (Spenserian) • English (Shakespearean)

  3. Rhythm • The rhythm of a poem is called its meter • The meter of a sonnet is called iambic pentameter • An iamb = 2 syllables

  4. Some math • There are 5 iambs per line; therefore 10 syllables total • For example: some GOOfyGUYsaid Ishould TAKEa WALK **There are 10 syllables broken into 5 feet (pairs) 2 3 4 1 5

  5. But how is it spoken? • The first syllable in a foot/pair is unstressed, the second is stressed baDUM baDUM baDUM baDUM baDUM

  6. The Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet • Divided into two sections by two different rhyming sounds • The first 8 lines is called an octave • Rhyme scheme: abbaabba • The following six lines is called the sestet • Can rhyme in a variety of ways: c d c d c dc d d c d cc d e c d ec d e c e dc d c e d c The last six lines are flexible in its rhyming, but in the Italian sonnet, the last two lines CANNOT rhyme (no couplets here) The change in topic occurs when the rhyming group changes (called the turn, usually at line 9)

  7. Petrarchan Sonnet "London, 1802" (William Wordsworth) Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: A England hath need of thee: she is a fen B Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, B Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, A Have forfeited their ancient English dower A Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; B Oh! raise us up, return to us again; B And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. A Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart; C (turn) Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: D Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, D So didst thou travel on life's common way, E In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart C The lowliest duties on herself did lay. E

  8. The Spenserian Sonnet • Sets up a distinct four-line group with its rhyming pattern: a b a b b c b c c d c d e e • Each rhyming pattern develops a specific idea, but, with some of the rhymes overlapping, the only separate idea is the final couplet

  9. The Spenserian Sonnet "Sonnet LIV" Of this World's theatre in which we stay, A My love like the Spectator idly sits, B Beholding me, that all the pageants play, A Disguising diversely my troubled wits. B Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits, B And mask in mirth like to a Comedy; C Soon after when my joy to sorrow flits, B I wail and make my woes a Tragedy. C Yet she, beholding me with constant eye, C Delights not in my mirth nor rues my smart; D But when I laugh, she mocks: and when I cry C She laughs and hardens evermore her heart. D What then can move her? If nor mirth nor moan, E She is no woman, but a senseless stone. E

  10. The English (Shakespearean) Sonnet • Most flexible of patterns • Consists of three quatrains and one couplet • Rhyming pattern: abab cdcd efef gg • Like the Spenserian, each quatrain develops a specific idea, but is closely related to the other quatrains • Unlike the Spenserian, the rhymes do not overlap between the quatrains

  11. Shakespearean Sonnet • Usually about the following subjects: 1. praise (like an ode) 2. hate 3. confusion Step 1: Read Sonnets 18 and 29 Step 2: Label the rhyme scheme Step 3: Label the iambic pentameter (mark unstressed and stressed syllables for the first line of each sonnet, and also count the syllables in each line – mark where there is not 10) Step 4: Bracket off and paraphrase each part of the sonnets by section (quatrain, quatrain, quatrain, couplet)

  12. Spoof! Sonnet #18 (a parody) Shall I compare thee to a bale of hay? Thou art more dusty and far less neat. Rough winds do toss thy mop about, I'd say, Which looks far worse than hay a horse would eat. Sometime thy squinty eye looks into mine Through stringy, greasy hair that needs be trimm'd, And ne'er a horse had such a stench as thine, As though in stagnant sewers thou hast swimm'd. Thy disgusting image shall not fade; This my tortured mind and soul doth know. O, I should love to hit thee with a spade; And with that blow I hope that thou wouldst go. So long as I can breathe, my eyes can see, And I can run, I'll stay away from thee...

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