Spenser’s Sonnets – Lesson 6 LQ: Can I understand the Spenserian Sonnet structure and use my understanding to analyse the presentation of love in two Sonnets by Spenser? Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

LESSON 4: LQ: Can I understand the Spenserian Sonnet structure and use my understanding to analyse the presentation of love in two Sonnets by Spenser? Excellent progress: well-chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well-chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

The Spenserian sonnet form: Look at the two sonnets in pairs… What is the rhyme scheme and rhythm? Are there common themes? Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

The Spenserian sonnet The Spenserian Sonnet is based on a fusion of elements of both the Petrarchan sonnet and the Shakespearean sonnet. It is similar to the Shakespearan sonnet in the sense that its set up is based more on the 3 quatrains and a couplet,a system set up by Shakespeare; however it is more like the Petrarchan tradition in the fact that the conclusion follows from the argument or issue set up in the earlier quatrains. ABAB,BCBC; CDCDEE.. Adheres to a very strict pentameter. Spenser’s roots are in balladic form – as his epic faerie queen shows The rhyme scheme and strict rhythm causes the poems to have more “storylike qualities”. Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

TASK 1: Two/Four groups: one group/two groups focus on one sonnet and the others on the second. Analyse for language, form and structure.. Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

Feedback to the other group your analysis EXT: how does the form or structure add to the tone/message/effect of the poem? Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

Swap poems Now try to add context, critical interpretations and alternative interpretations (contemporary and modern reception) Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

Feedback Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

How does Spenser present love in Sonnet 75 and Sonnet 30? EXT: can you make comparisons to other poems you have studied? Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

Model paragraph: Can you identify the crucial elements? Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet Address the question Quotations Analytical terms 2 nd quotation to develop Social context Alternative interpretations/ Critical interpretations Links to wider reading Sophisticated vocabulary

Now in pairs attempt your own paragraph: Address the question Quotations Analytical terms 2 nd quotation to develop Social context Alternative interpretations/ Critical interpretations Links to wider reading Sophisticated vocabulary Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet

Feedback to class Listen and prepare to: COMPLIMENT + IMPROVE Excellent progress: well- chosen quotations, literary devices analysed, effect on reader discussed, alternative interpretations considered and social context mentioned Outstanding progress: well- chosen quotations, sophisticated language used, literary devices analysed, effect on reader argued with perceptive points made, alternative interpretations revealed, developed consideration of social and historical context Love: platonic, courtly, unrequited, godly, familial Social Context: Renaissance, ballad, Tudors, Puritans, Humanism LIT TERMS: pentameter, free verse, alliteration, sexual language, Spenserian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet