Renaissance PoetryRenaissance Poetry

Sonnet BasicsSonnet Basics

14 line Lyric Poem14 line Lyric Poem- Octave (8 lines)Octave (8 lines)- Sestet (6 lines) Sestet (6 lines) - 3 quatrains followed by a Couplet (2 lines)3 quatrains followed by a Couplet (2 lines)- Rhyme SchemeRhyme Scheme- Volta: (Italian: “turn”) the turn in thought Volta: (Italian: “turn”) the turn in thought

in a in a sonnetsonnet that is often indicated by such that is often indicated by such words as words as ButBut, , YetYet, or , or And yetAnd yet..

SonnetsSonnets 3 forms3 forms

English (Shakespearean) English (Shakespearean) Consists of 3 quatrains and a final coupletConsists of 3 quatrains and a final couplet

Couplet provides a final commentary on the subject in the 3 Couplet provides a final commentary on the subject in the 3 quatrainsquatrains

Rhyme Scheme: Rhyme Scheme: abab cdcd efef ggabab cdcd efef gg Italian (Petrachan)Italian (Petrachan)

Has an octave and a sestet Has an octave and a sestet octave presents a problem or raises a question; rhyme scheme octave presents a problem or raises a question; rhyme scheme

of of abbaabbaabbaabba Sestet presents the solution or comments on the problem; Sestet presents the solution or comments on the problem;

rhyme scheme of rhyme scheme of cdcdcd or cdecdecdcdcd or cdecde

SpensarianSpensarian- Interlocking rhyme scheme: Interlocking rhyme scheme: abab bcbc cdcd eeabab bcbc cdcd ee- Same structure as Shakespearean sonnetSame structure as Shakespearean sonnet

Each form is slightly different, but all keep the same basic Each form is slightly different, but all keep the same basic format of 14 linesformat of 14 lines

Carpe DiemCarpe DiemPoetry and Cavalier PoetsPoetry and Cavalier Poets

Yes, it translates to “seize the day”, Yes, it translates to “seize the day”, but why is that important? Especially but why is that important? Especially to this time period? to this time period? The idea that people should think for The idea that people should think for

themselves and if they make a mistake, themselves and if they make a mistake, then they will learn from themthen they will learn from them

Robert Herrick – “To The Virgins…”Robert Herrick – “To The Virgins…”““The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”

Pastoral PoetryPastoral Poetry

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsShepherds in a rural settingShepherds in a rural settingTend to use formal, courtly speech in Tend to use formal, courtly speech in

meters and rhyme schememeters and rhyme schemeIdealisticIdealisticOften involve the message “carpe diem”Often involve the message “carpe diem”““The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”““The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd” The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd”

mimics this idea; more sarcastic and mimics this idea; more sarcastic and realisticrealistic

““Whoso List to Hunt”Whoso List to Hunt”by Sir Thomas Wyattby Sir Thomas Wyatt

What type of poem is this?What type of poem is this?Italian SonnetItalian SonnetBrought the Italian sonnet form to Brought the Italian sonnet form to

British literatureBritish literatureRefers to Anne Boleyn as the deerRefers to Anne Boleyn as the deerCaesar is a referencedCaesar is a referencedHind (deer) is symbolism as king’s Hind (deer) is symbolism as king’s

propertyproperty

Metaphysical PoetsMetaphysical Poets

Used elaborate metaphors to explore Used elaborate metaphors to explore life’s complexitieslife’s complexitiesWhat is another name for an extended What is another name for an extended

metaphor? CONCEITSmetaphor? CONCEITSCommon themes of love, death, and Common themes of love, death, and

religious devotionreligious devotionExamples? John Donne; Ben JonsonExamples? John Donne; Ben JonsonMarked by unconventional imageryMarked by unconventional imagery

Think! Love and Compass?!?!Think! Love and Compass?!?!

Metaphysical con’t.Metaphysical con’t.

Metaphysical poetry and conceitsMetaphysical poetry and conceitsMetaphysical conceits often use JARRING Metaphysical conceits often use JARRING

comparisons, often using things not comparisons, often using things not really considered to be poetic at allreally considered to be poetic at allEx. “A Valediction:Forbidding Mourning”Ex. “A Valediction:Forbidding Mourning”

What does Donne compare love to, and why is this What does Donne compare love to, and why is this significant?significant?

Poems on your testPoems on your test

Sir Thomas Wyatt – “Whoso List to Sir Thomas Wyatt – “Whoso List to Hunt”Hunt”Petrachan sonnet, a mix of pastoral and Petrachan sonnet, a mix of pastoral and

carpe diem, however the speaker knows carpe diem, however the speaker knows that he cannotthat he cannot

Sir Edmund Spenser – Sonnet 75Sir Edmund Spenser – Sonnet 75Eternizing conceitEternizing conceit

Shakespeare – Sonnet 18, 116, and 130Shakespeare – Sonnet 18, 116, and 130All contain the Theme of love; Sonnet 130 All contain the Theme of love; Sonnet 130

is different because it’s sarcasticis different because it’s sarcastic

Poems on Test, con’t.Poems on Test, con’t.

Marlowe – “The Passionate Shepherd Marlowe – “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”to His Love”Pastoral in nature; urges his love to be Pastoral in nature; urges his love to be

spontaneous and tempts her to come spontaneous and tempts her to come and live with him “and be my love”and live with him “and be my love”

Raleigh – “The Nymph’s Reply to the Raleigh – “The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd”Shepherd”Mirrors Marlowe’s poemMirrors Marlowe’s poemDirectly answers his proposals in his Directly answers his proposals in his

poem, with use of Marlowe’s own phrasespoem, with use of Marlowe’s own phrases

Poems on test, con’t.Poems on test, con’t.

Herrick – “To the Virgins, Make Much Herrick – “To the Virgins, Make Much of Time” of Time” What category does this fall under? What category does this fall under?

*Hint: It is more than one!*Hint: It is more than one!

Donne - “A Valediction:Forbidding Donne - “A Valediction:Forbidding Mourning”Mourning”

What does Donne compare love to, and why What does Donne compare love to, and why is this significant?is this significant?

Poems on test, con’t.Poems on test, con’t.

Donne – Holy Sonnet 10Donne – Holy Sonnet 10What is the conceit (metaphor) present What is the conceit (metaphor) present

in this poem?in this poem?*Death is compared to sleep… but what *Death is compared to sleep… but what

message does this suggest?message does this suggest?Should Death be feared? Why not?Should Death be feared? Why not?