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Shakespeare

Shakespeare. Understanding Language and the Sonnet. The Language of Shakespeare. Most students don’t realize this at first, but he’s writing in English!  Sure, the language can be a little daunting at times; however, there are numerous “tricks” to help decipher the meaning of a line.

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Shakespeare

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  1. Shakespeare Understanding Language and the Sonnet

  2. The Language of Shakespeare • Most students don’t realize this at first, but he’s writing in English!  • Sure, the language can be a little daunting at times; however, there are numerous “tricks” to help decipher the meaning of a line. • Here are a few ways to make some sense of the word on the page…

  3. Language • While modern English has eliminated a set of pronouns and verbs used for “familiar” relationships, these old forms existed in Elizabethan England and appear frequently in Shakespeare. • Follow along on your “Language Guide” for tricks to help unlock meaning.

  4. Language Singular Plural

  5. Language

  6. The Sonnet A Poetic Overview

  7. The Sonnet • The word “sonnet” comes from the Italian word sonnetto, meaning “little song.” • A sonnet is a lyric poem that almost always consists of fourteen lines (usually printed as a single stanza) and that typically follows one of several conventional rhyme schemes. • Sonnets may address a range of issues or themes, but love, the original subject of the sonnet, is perhaps still the most common.

  8. The Sonnet • Due to the rigid rules concerning rhyme and rhythm, (good) sonnets are considered one of the more challenging poetic forms. • Two major types of sonnets exist: the Italian sonnetand the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. • Like the Italian sonnet, the Shakespearean sonnet has a rigid rhyme scheme and outline….

  9. Shakespearean Sonnet • The Shakespearean sonnet: • Consists of 14 lines • Is divided into three quatrains and a couplet • Has the following rhyme scheme: a b a b c d c d e f e f g g • Typically employ iambic pentameter

  10. Draw This Diagram… First Quatrain A B A B C D C D E F E F G G Fourteen Lines Total Second Quatrain Third Quatrain Concluding Couplet (also called the “Turn”)

  11. Iambic Pentameter • Iambic pentameter refers to a line of poetry containing five iambs (one unstressed, one stressed syllable). • In other words, an iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, one unaccented followed by an accented one. • The stress of each syllable in the line follows the rhythm of a heartbeat (for the most part): “da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM”

  12. Iambic Pentameter • Example: “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?” • Becomes: “But—soft, what—light—through—yon—der—win—dow—breaks?”

  13. Activity • Read and analyze the Shakespearean sonnet. • If you get stuck on certain words, use the context clues in the line, the dictionary on the bookcase, or the handout you received. • Be prepared to share your responses!

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