1. Sonnets “Little Sounds” of Love

2. Think of all the stories you’ve heard about people getting asked out… What is the most creative way you can remember? Explain the details. What was done? What was said?

3. What is a sonnet? -14 line poem -has a set rhyme scheme (pattern of rhymes) -originally written as “love songs” to women -women represent ideals (love, purity, etc.) -Nowadays, a sonnet can explore many themes besides love

4. Sonnet: “little sounds” (Italian) 13th Century Sicily: poets writing love songs in the Courts of Frederick II (Holy Roman Emperor) “Courtly Love”: builds on concept of chivalry

5. “Courtly Love” Expressing love for an IDEALIZE woman Woman on a pedestal admired from a distance rarely spoken to symbolizes abstract virtues

6. Dante’s Obsession from Afar Loves, Beatrice, but never talked to her… Beatrice dies… Dante dedicates the rest of his life to “honoring her” with his poetry Gives her a sacred place Acts as his guide through Paradise

7. Remember Plato’s Ideal Forms

8. Petrarch: Honoring Laura -Petrarch sees Laura (in Avignon, France) -Love at first sight -She refuses him (because she’s married) -She dies -He channels his love for her into sonnets

9. Petrarch’s Il Canzoniere (1374) 1st great sonnet sequence: collection of sonnets that form a loose story -central theme: love of Laura -sonnets explore questions… - “What is the virtue of love?” - “Why do I desire love if it’s painful?!?!”

10. Petrarch’s “Song Book” -Started a trend (all across Europe) -In the courts, aristocratic men wrote sonnets usually to… -woe women -express ideals

11. Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet 14 lines Octave (8 lines): develops a theme Sestet (6 lines): expands or contradicts theme

12. “ When I consider How My Light is Spent ” by John Milton When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days in this dark world wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lets he returning chide; “ Doth God exact day-labor, light denied? ” I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur soon replies, “ God doth not need Either man ’ s work or His own gifts. Who best Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed, And post o ’ er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait A B AOctave A B A C D ESestet C D E

13. Shakespearean Sonnets divided into… -Three quatrains: abab cdcd efef -A closing couplet:gg

14. English (Shakespearean) Sonnets □ Quatrains may develop separate metaphors □ Closing couplet can either confirm or go sharply against the prior lines. □ The volta comes in line 13 usually— sometimes in line 9

15. The two major sonnet forms: Petrarchan (Italian) A B AOctave (8 lines) A B A The TURN C D E CSestet (6 lines) D E Shakespearean A B A B C D C3 quatrains D E F The TURN E F GRhyming G Couplet