17 th Century Literature

Sonnet A lyric poem of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter and usually following strict patterns of stanza divisions and rhymes. Of the three types – Italian, Spencerian, and English sonnets – the English (or Shakespearean) sonnet has the simplest and most flexible pattern, consisting of three quatrains of alternating rhyme and a couplet.

Rhyme Scheme The pattern that end rhymes form in a stanza or poem. Rhyme scheme is designated by the assignment of a different letter of the alphabet to each new rhyme. The English sonnet’s rhyme scheme is abab/cdcd/efef/gg

The bard’s sonnets… William Shakespeare’s sonnets were printed in 1609 without his permission. The printer wanted to capitalize on the bard’s popularity at the time. No one knows when the sonnets were written or if Shakespeare actually wrote all the sonnets attributed to him. Shakespeare is credited with writing 154 sonnets about time, love, beauty and mortality.

Sonnet 43 Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning p. 941 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints!---I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!---and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

Metaphysical poets p The metaphysical poets are a group of 17 th century English poets whose poetry was comprised of complex extended metaphors and unconventional imagery and rhyme. Characteristics of metaphysical poetry… Use of Argument - Use of conceits - Use of language – Use of unconventional forms

What is Carpe Diem?

SEIZE THE DAY!!!!!! ……………………SEIZE THE DAY!!!!!!

John Donne John Donne p.430 -Author’s notes on p “Death Be Not Proud” p.435

Ben Jonson Ben Jonson p. 445 Author’s notes p “On My First Son” p. 447

Robert Herrick Robert Herrick p. 455 Author’s notes p “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time” p. 457

Sir John Suckling Sir John Suckling p. 464 Author’s notes p. 464 – “Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?”

Sir Richard Lovelace Author’s notes p. 469 – “To Althea from Prison”

Andrew Marvell Author’s notes p. 474 “To His Coy Mistress” p. 476