Sonnets

Get out notebooks or laptops to take notes! Name 3 adjectives that are used to describe BEAUTY and LOVE Now find 3 synonyms for those words

Review Metaphor Simile Hyperbole Write down your definition and an example of the following Figurative Language terms: Metaphor Simile Hyperbole

Sonnets A Sonnet is a verse form that typically refers to a concept of unattainable love. A sonnet is a form of LYRIC POETRY – a highly musical verse that expresses the observation & feelings of a single speaker. The topic of most sonnets written in Shakespeare's time were love or a theme related to love. 

Where did it begin? Sonnets were first developed by the Italian poet, Francesco Petrarca. Petrarchan sonnets depict the addressed his love in hyperbole made her a model of perfection and inspiration. He fell in love at first sight with Laura de Noves and already being married she would turn down all advanced he made toward her. Petrarch would be haunted by her beauty for the rest of his life.

The eyes I spoke about so warmly, and the arms, the hands, the ankles, and the face that left me so divided from myself, and made me different from other men: the crisp hair of pure shining gold and the brightness of the angelic smile, which used to make a paradise on earth, are now a little dust, that feels no thing. And I still live, which I grieve over and disdain, left without the light I loved so much, in great ill-fortune, in a shattered boat. Now make an end of my loving songs: the vein of my accustomed wit is dry, and my lyre is turned again to weeping.

What makes a sonnet? 14 lines, ababcdcdefefgg, 10 syllables each line Sonnet form: 14 lines, ababcdcdefefgg, 10 syllables each line Iambic pentameter ( which is the rhythm of pairing ten syllables)

What is Iambic pentameter? “Iambic pentameter is the rhythm of our English language and of our bodies – a line of that poetry has the same rhythm as our heartbeat. A line of iambic pentameter fills the human lung perfectly, so it’s the rhythm of speech.” --Ben Crystal (Shakespearean actor)

What else? Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets. Mostly about the theme of love… They contained metaphors, similes, hyperbole and other forms of figurative language.

Before we start Dun: brownish gray color Damask: grayish-pink color Belied: to contradict; to cancel out or to show that something is not real

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips' red. If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damask'd, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes there is more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks. I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound. I grant I never saw a goddess go: My mistress when she walks treads on the ground. And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.

But what does it mean? Metaphors? Similes? Hyperbole? Is he being sarcastic or is he being sincere? Why do you think that?

My students wrote these opening stanzas a few years ago… His eyes, to me stand out like heaven’s stars His lips, be soft to kiss a floating cloud His arms hold me, so safe like golden bars Hold me close and make me oh so aroused.   I love her like fat boys do love cupcakes I like when she shakes what her mom gave her. With that smile, my heart is what she takes When with her, like batter, my feelings stir. His eyes like choc’late melting in the sun Liquid pools of love to see into mine Cheeks like meat under a hamburger bun. He is edible love and oh so fine.

Sonnet Project – Part I Write a sonnet tonight and share it in class on Wednesday. Don’t forget the iambic pentameter and some juicy figurative language that expresses the way you feel. Follow the sonnet rules!!

Sonnet Project – Part II Pair up! (no more than 3 in a group) Each group will be given a sonnet and you will do a dramatic interpretation of the sonnet You must memorize it and perform it in class On a googledoc, answer the following questions: What is the tone and mood of the poem? What is the figurative language and what does it mean? To whom is he speaking and what does he mean? Present on Friday

Tone is the author’s attitude toward the writing (his characters, the situation) and the readers. A work of writing can have more than one tone. An example of tone could be both serious and humorous. Tone is set by the setting, choice of vocabulary and other details. Mood is the general atmosphere created by the author’s words. It is the feeling the reader gets from reading those words. It may be the same, or it may change from situation to situation.