SONNETS how meaning is revealed through structure AND an easy introduction to Shakespeare

What is the purpose & goal of this lesson? PURPOSE: To learn about the styles, rhyme scheme, meter and format of various types of sonnets and HOW these features contribute to the meaning of the sonnet. GOAL: At the completion of this lesson, you will be able to recognize and identify the styles, rhyme scheme, and format of Shakespearean, Spenserian, and Petrarchan sonnets.

Sonnet means “little song.” It is made up of 14 lines of rhymed verse in iambic pentameter. Rhyme scheme is the pattern of end rhyme in a poem. It is charted by assigning a letter of the alphabet, beginning with the letter A, to each line. The rhyme scheme and arrangement of those 14 lines determine the type of sonnet.

Sonnets are rhymed verses written in iambic pentameter. “Iambic” describes the foot of poetry. An iamb is a foot, or measure, that has two syllables. Of those two syllables, the first syllable is unstressed (not emphasized) while the second syllable is stressed (emphasized). “Pentameter” means that there are five feet in each line of poetry. Do the math: 2 syllables per foot X 5 feet per line = 10 syllables per line

English Sonnets Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets! English Sonnets are also known as Shakespearean, or Elizabethan, sonnets because he was such a prolific writer of the form, and he wrote during the age of Queen Elizabeth. We will use these words interchangeably.

Shakespearean, or English, sonnets are made up of 3 QUATRAINS AND 1 COUPLET: A QUATRAIN has 4 lines (You know, the root QUAT means FOUR) A COUPLET is 2 lines (Same idea, a COUPLE is made of TWO) Do the math: 3 quatrains x 4 lines each quatrain +2 lines = 14 ! Each verse has a different purpose for revealing the meaning of the sonnet: 1 st Quatrain—introduces the situation 2 nd Quatrain—explores the situation 3 rd Quatrain—a shift of thought or a turn Couplet—resolves the situation

In addition to its structure, a Shakespearean sonnet has a unique rhyme scheme. Check out the poem below, paying attention to rhyme scheme. Not marble, nor the gilded monumentsA Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme ; B But you shall shine more bright in these contents A Than unswept stone besmear'd with sluttish time.B When wasteful war shall statues overturn, C And broils root out the work of masonry,D Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burnC The living record of your memory.D 'Gainst death and all-oblivious enmityE Shall you pace forth ; your praise shall still find roomF Even in the eyes of all posterityE That wear this world out to the ending doom.F So, till the judgment that yourself arise,G You live in this, and dwell in lover’s eyes.G

Do you see why it can still be considered an English sonnet, even though it wasn’t written by Shakespeare? There are times I look at you and I see, All our fights and times of unhappiness, At times I see love between you and me, and them I wonder what caused such a mess. I love you more than you will ever know, You took my heart and opened up my eyes, You helped me to put away my sorrow, Your love helped me to spread my wings and fly. If you only knew how you make me feel, You stole my heart and I gave you my soul, Wrapped in your arms it feels so surreal, It is this love that makes my life feel full. I now know how it feels to be in love, You are my angel sent from high above. Try to identify the rhyme scheme and characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet. Look at this poem, which was not actually written by Shakespeare but was composed by a student.

Did you recognize that Shakespearean sonnets have a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG? Did you also notice that these letters show that there are 3 quatrains ABAB ~ CDCD ~ EFEF and one couplet ~ GG? What about the iambic pentameter? Did you see how all lines consisted of 10 syllables? FEEL FREE TO GO BACK TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN

Feel free to take a moment to review the characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet one more time. If not, you can move on. EITHER WAY, YOU CAN DO THIS! Are you ready for a question to test your skill?

Which best describes the characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet? Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer, then click on the arrow that indicates your choice. An English sonnet with an ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme A English sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme An English sonnet with an octave and a sestet and an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme An English sonnet with an ABABCDCDFFFFGG rhyme scheme

A Shakespearean sonnet is an English sonnet that has 3 quatrains and a couplet, and it also has an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme! Click here to go to the next slide.

Click here to go right back to the question. THINK AND TRY AGAIN. To go back to the beginning of the Shakespearean section to review, click here Sorry, you are incorrect.

Spenserian sonnets are another type of English sonnets ; however, these are named for Edmund Spenser, who is considered the premier craftsmen of Modern English verse and one of the greatest poets in the English language. Spenserian sonnets, too, are made up of 3 QUATRAINS AND 1 COUPLET and written in iambic pentameter. His rhyme scheme was different he created ABABBCBCCDCDEE. This sonnet was more difficult to write. The 4 B’s and 3 C’s meant that he had to find four words that rhymed together, made sense, and went with the flow of the poem. Definitely not an easy task!

Of this worlds theatre in which we stay, A My love like the spectator idly sitsB Beholding me that all the pageants play,A Disguising diversely my troubled wits.B Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits,B And mask in mirth like to a comedy:C Soon after when my joy to sorrow flits,B I wail and make my woes a tragedy.C Yet she, beholding me with constant eye,C Delights not in my mirth nor rues my smart:D But when I laugh she mocks, and when I cryC She laughs and hardens evermore her heart.D What then can move her? If nor mirth nor moan,E She is no woman, but a senseless stone.E Check out the poem below. Look closely to the last word in each line. See the difference?

Even though this was not written by Edmund Spenser, it is still considered a Spenserian poem! To be in heaven for one more momentA With my sweetest angel of desire.B To be fused in his wings on an ascentA From reality and earthly ire.B I long to flee the eternal fireB That blazes and combusts deep within me ….C And get lost in his orbs of sapphireB And find my wand’ring soul where it should be-C On a still cloud on the edge of the seaC Where I escape the cold, incessant rain … D A place where I can finally run free,C Where passion and unconditional love reigns.D How I long to lie in my paradiseE With my wondrous angel, my guiding light.E Do you see the rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter, the 3 quatrains and the couplet?

Did you recognize that Spenserian sonnets have a rhyme scheme of ABABBCBCCDCDEE? Did you also notice that these letters show that there are 3 quatrains ABAB ~ BCBC ~ CDCD and one couplet ~ EE? What about the iambic pentameter? FEEL FREE TO PRESS THE BACK ARROW TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN IF YOU NEED TO BECAUSE WE ARE READY FOR ANOTHER SKILLS QUESTION!

Which best describes the characteristics of a Spenserian sonnet? Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer, then click on the arrow that indicates your choice. An English sonnet with 3 quatrains and a couplet and ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme A English sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme An English sonnet with an octave and a sestet and an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme An English sonnet with an ABABCDCDEEFFGG rhyme scheme

CORRECT! A Spenserian sonnet: is an English sonnet has 3 quatrains and a couplet has an ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme Let’s go to the next slide…

WHY DON’T YOU TRY AGAIN? To go back to the beginning of the Spenserian section to review, click here Sorry, you are incorrect … Click here to go right back to the question.

English vs. Italian Sonnets The Italian sonnet contains 1 OCTAVE and 1 SESTET Remember, an OCTopus has EIGHT legs SES is similar to the Spanish word seis for 6 Do the math: = 14! And, the rhyme scheme is very different: ABBAABBA CDECDE (or some variation of CDE rhymes) Petrarchan sonnets are Italian sonnets because Francesco Petrarch, an Italian poet, modified the English sonnet and created his own. His sonnet differ in both structure and rhyme scheme from Shakespearean sonnets.

The Petrarchan rhyme scheme is very different: Doth any maiden seek the glorious fame A Of chastity, of strength, of courtesy? B Gaze in the eyes of that sweet enemy B Whom all the world doth as my lady name! A How honor grows, and pure devotion's flame, A How truth is joined with graceful dignity, B There thou may'st learn, and what the path may be B To that high heaven which doth her spirit claim ; A There learn soft speech, beyond all poet's skill, C And softer silence, and those holy ways D Unutterable, untold by human heart.E But the infinite beauty that all eyes doth fill, C This none can copy! since its lovely raysD Are given by God's pure grace, and not by art.E Do you see how this could also be very difficult to write?

Petrarchan sonnets have a completely different rhyme scheme: ABBAABBACDECDE The structure & division of stanzas is also very different: One octave (8 lines) of ABBAABBA and one sestet (6 lines) of CDECDE An OCTAVE is 8 lines The OCTAVE establishes the speaker’s situation A SESTET has 6 lines SES is similar to the Spanish word seis for 6 The SESTET resolves, draws conclusions about, or reacts to Italian sonnets are still written in iambic pentameter, but did you notice that some lines did not have exactly 10 syllables? The sonnet was written in iambic pentameter in the Italian language, but when it was translated into English, it did not maintain the exact syllable count. HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE TO HELP YOU …

Hear is a more familiar example of a Petrarchan sonnet: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.A I love thee to the depth and breadth and heightB My soul can reach, when feeling out of sightB For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.A I love thee to the level of every day'sA Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.B I love thee freely, as men strive for Right ; B I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.A I love thee with a passion put to useC In my old grief, and with my childhood's faith.D I love thee with a love I seemed to loseE With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,C Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,D I shall but love thee better after death.E Though this is by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, it is still considered to be a Petrarchan sonnet. Why?

Petrarchan or Italian Sonnet Did you see the rhyme scheme? ABBAABBACDECDE? Did you identify the octave and the sestet? What is the speaker’s situation that is established in the octave? What is the response to that situation in the sestet? Now, are you ready for a skills question? If so, move forward. If not, you can go back and take a better look.

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a Petrarchan sonnet, based on what you learned? Directions: Read the question carefully, choose the best answer, YOU MUST click on the arrow that indicates your choice. An English sonnet with 3 quatrains and a couplet and ABABBCBCCDCDEE rhyme scheme A Italian sonnet with 3 quatrains & and couplet with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme An Italian sonnet with an octave and a sestet and an ABBAABBACDECDE rhyme scheme An Italian sonnet with an ABBAACCACDECDE rhyme scheme with an octave and a sestet

RIGHT! A Petrarchan sonnet is an Italian sonnet that has 1 octave and 1 sestet and also has an ABBAABBACDECDE rhyme scheme! Let’s go to the next slide…

To go back to the beginning of the Petrarchan section to review, click here Incorrect … Click here to go right back to the question. LET’S TRY AGAIN … Here is a hint: Petrarchan sonnets are vastly different from Shakespearean and Spenserian sonnets.

Test your knowledge again? ; This is an easy one. If you are unsure, you can go back and review. If you are ready, go to the next screen.

Directions: Read the question carefully. Choose the best answer, then click on the arrow that indicates your choice. Which is NOT a possible combination of lines in a sonnet? an octave and a sestet an octave and a couplet three quatrains and a couplet

An octave (8 lines) and a couplet (2 lines) would only equal 10 lines. And we know a sonnet contains 14! Now that you have mastered this, let’s move on …

Sorry, you are incorrect. It’s okay. Let’s try again. HERE’S A HINT: Remember, the combination of lines in a sonnet must equal 14. Click here to go back to the question.

How do the sonnets compare/contrast? Let me count the ways! Rhyme Scheme: A B A B C D C D E F E F G Rhyme Scheme: A B A B C B C C D C D E E Shakespearean SonnetSpenserian Sonnet Composed of 3 quatrains & 1 couplet Known as English sonnets Written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line) Contains 14 lines Contains connotation Petrarchan Sonnet Composed of an octave and sestet Known as an Italian sonnet Rhyme Scheme: ABBAABBACDECDE

Now, use the notes you’ve taken to analyze the poems in your flipbook. For each of the 3 poems, annotate to show evidence of: 1) form 2) structure (couplet, octave, quatrains, sestet) 3) rhyme scheme 4) meaning