1. Renaissance Poetry

2. Sonnet Basics 14 line Lyric Poem Octave (8 lines) Sestet (6 lines)
3 quatrains followed by a Couplet (2 lines)
Rhyme Scheme
Volta: (Italian: “turn”) the turn in thought in a sonnet that is often indicated by such words as But, Yet, or And yet.

3. Carpe Diem Poetry and Cavalier Poets
Yes, it translates to “seize the day”, but why is that important? Especially to this time period?
The idea that people should think for themselves and if they make a mistake, then they will learn from them
Robert Herrick – “To The Virgins…”
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”

4. Pastoral Poetry Characteristics Shepherds in a rural setting
Tend to use formal, courtly speech in meters and rhyme scheme
Idealistic
Often involve the message “carpe diem”
“The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”
“The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” mimics this idea; more sarcastic and realistic

5. “Whoso List to Hunt” by Sir Thomas Wyatt
What type of poem is this?
Italian Sonnet
Brought the Italian sonnet form to British literature
Refers to Anne Boleyn as the deer
Caesar is a referenced
Hind (deer) is symbolism as king’s property

6. Sonnets 3 forms English (Shakespearean) Italian (Petrachan) Spensarian
Consists of 3 quatrains and a final couplet
Couplet provides a final commentary on the subject in the 3 quatrains
Italian (Petrachan)
Has an octave and a sestet
octave presents a problem or raises a question
Sestet presents the solution or comments on the problem
Spensarian
Interlocking rhyme scheme
Same structure as Shakespearean sonnet
Each form is slightly different, but all keep the same basic format of 14 lines

7. Metaphysical Poets
Used elaborate metaphors to explore life’s complexities
What is another name for an extended metaphor? CONCEITS
Common themes of love, death, and religious devotion
Examples? John Donne; Ben Jonson

8. Poems on your test Sir Thomas Wyatt – “Whoso List to Hunt”
Petrachan sonnet, a mix of pastoral and carpe diem, however the speaker knows that he cannot
Sir Edmund Spenser – Sonnet 75
Eternizing conceit
Shakespeare – Sonnet 18, 116, and 130
Theme of love; Sonnet 130 is different because it’s sarcastic

9. Marlowe – “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”