JOURNAL What is the purpose of poetry? What are the advantages of poetry over prose? What are the disadvantages, if any?

SONNETS

Origins Italian “sonetto” – “a little sound or song” Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374) Wrote hundreds of poems about a woman named Laura DeNoves(written to a lover) Sonnets focus on a particular theme

Sonnet Length and Meter 14 lines Prescribed rhyme scheme iambic pentameter Each line has 5 metric units or “feet” iambic foot = unstressed syllable (U) followed by a stressed syllable (/). 1 iambic foot = U / U / U / U / U / U / Ex: My love is like to ice, and I to fire;

Form Differences Sonnet forms can be differentiated by rhyme schemes and stanzas: Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet ABBAABBA CDECDE (or CDCDCD) English (Shakespearean) Sonnet ABAB CDCD EFEF GG Spenserian Sonnet ABAB BCBC CDCD EE

The Italian Sonnet Often called the Petrarchan sonnet unrequited love a common topic for this form Octave (first 8 lines): presents a problem Sestet (last 6 lines): provides an answer or resolution to the problem States a theme, responds to theme Stanzas and Rhyme scheme octave: abbaabba sestet: cdecde or cdcdcd

Sonnet XII by Francesco Petrarch If my life find strength enough to fight the grievous battle of each passing day, that I may meet your gaze, years from today, lady, when your eyes have lost their light octave: and when your golden curls have turned to white, problem and vanished are your wreaths and green array, and when your youthful hue has fled away, whose beauty make me tremble in its sight, perhaps then love will overcome my fears Turn enough that I may let my secret rise and tell you what I’ve suffered all these years; sestet: and if no flame be kindled in your eyes, resolution at least I may be granted for my tears the comfort of a few belated sighs.

The English Sonnet Also called the Shakespearean sonnet 3 quatrains (4 lines) rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef question raised/problem presented 1 couplet rhyme scheme: gg States and develops theme demands a quick solution in the couplet-ends with a summary or reversal

Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, Problem: And look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featur’d like him, like him with friends possess’d, Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising Turn From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate, Solution For thy sweet love rememb’red such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Spenserian Sonnet Created by Sir Edmund Spencer Has the English/Shakespearean stanza form 3 Quatrains 1 Couplet Rhyme scheme: abab bcbc cdcd ee Interlocking rhyme scheme “pushes” the sonnet toward the final couplet Couplet: key point or comment

Literary Techniques Alliteration: repeating beginning word sounds. Ex: Fred’s Free Fresh Fries Symbolism:symbols to signify ideas or qualities Metaphor: comparing two unlike things Simile: comparing two unlike things with the words “like” or “as” Personification: assigning human characteristics to a non-human object

End stop line: A complete sentence contained in one line of verse. Allusion: reference to a person, place, or event of history or legend; reference to a previously published work of literature. Ex: You’re like Katniss when it comes to archery. (this is an allusion to the Hunger Games) Enjambment: the running over of sentence from one line of verse to another. Ex: I’ll look to like if looking liking move. End stop line: A complete sentence contained in one line of verse. Ex: I’ll look to like if looking liking move.

JOURNAL What are some personal and societal benefits to reading and writing poetry? What can they help or teach an individual? What do they bring to society?

Imagery- visual representation (it was dark and dim in the forest) Difference between paradox "a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that may be true“ (to make haste slowly) and oxymoron"a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings“ (jumbo shrimp, icy hot).

JOURNAL In your opinion, what is the overall theme and message of Spencer’s sonnet 26. How do you know this? Provide evidence.

SWEET is the Rose, but grows upon a briar; Sweet is the Juniper, but sharp his bough; sweet is the Eglantine, but pricketh near; sweet is the fir bloom, but his branches rough Sweet is the Cypress, but his rind is tough, sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill; sweet is the broom-flower, but yet sour enough; and sweet is Moly, but his root is ill. So every sweet with sour is tempered still, that maketh it be coveted the more: for easy things that may be got at will, most sorts of men do set but little store. Why then should I account of little pain, that endless pleasure shall unto me gain.

JOURNAL How did you choose the subject of your sonnet? Why did you choose that topic? What was the most challenging thing about writing a sonnet? Why? Compare the sonnet to other types of poetry. What were its strengths? Weaknesses?

What of these poetic devices do you most like to read/use? Why? JOURNAL What of these poetic devices do you most like to read/use? Why? Which do you least like to read/use? Why? Metaphor, Simile, Personification, Alliteration, Onomatopoeia, Oxymoron, Paradox, Allusion

Time is the school in which we learn Journal – The Couplet You can say a lot with a little. Observe, my favorite couplet: Time is the school in which we learn Time is the fire in which we burn. 1. Interpret this couplet. What do you think it means? 2. Write an inspired, powerful couplet that has a lot of meaning to you.