SonnetSonnetss

A sonnet is a lyric poem A sonnet is a lyric poem invented by Da Lentino in invented by Da Lentino in thirteenth century Italy. It thirteenth century Italy. It consists of 14 lines and consists of 14 lines and follows a particular rhyme follows a particular rhyme scheme. It is written in scheme. It is written in iambic pentameter. iambic pentameter. Sonnets can cover a range Sonnets can cover a range of issues but the subject of of issues but the subject of lovelove is most addressed. is most addressed.

The pattern for the "Italian“ or Petrarchan The pattern for the "Italian“ or Petrarchan sonnet breaks the content of the poem sonnet breaks the content of the poem into two sections (not a physical break): into two sections (not a physical break): an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). lines).

Often the octave will ask a question ("Why Often the octave will ask a question ("Why won't my loved one respond to me?") and won't my loved one respond to me?") and the sestet attempts to answer it ("My the sestet attempts to answer it ("My loved one has other things in mind.") or loved one has other things in mind.") or the octave may pose a problem and the the octave may pose a problem and the sestet offer a solution. sestet offer a solution.

Called a Called a poetic shiftpoetic shift, the break between , the break between the octave and the sestet may be signaled the octave and the sestet may be signaled by a "volta," or giveaway word like "but" by a "volta," or giveaway word like "but" or "yet." Then you know that the tone of or "yet." Then you know that the tone of the sonnet is changing direction.the sonnet is changing direction.

The octave invariably The octave invariably rhymes ABBA  ABBA. This is rhymes ABBA  ABBA. This is the easiest way to tell if you the easiest way to tell if you are reading an Italian are reading an Italian sonnet. The sestet has sonnet. The sestet has variations. It may rhyme variations. It may rhyme CDC   CDC or CCD   CCD or CDC   CDC or CCD   CCD or any number of combinations, any number of combinations, even CD  CD  CD.even CD  CD  CD.

The Italian sonnet was popularized in The Italian sonnet was popularized in England by Sir Thomas Wyatt who England by Sir Thomas Wyatt who translated a number of Petrarch's translated a number of Petrarch's sonnets into English. But English sonnets into English. But English rhymes are harder to come by than rhymes are harder to come by than Italian so the English soon developed a Italian so the English soon developed a new rhyme scheme for the sonnet that new rhyme scheme for the sonnet that would allow them to use more rhyming would allow them to use more rhyming words within the fourteen lines. The words within the fourteen lines. The "English" or "Shakespearean" sonnet "English" or "Shakespearean" sonnet breaks down into three quatrains and breaks down into three quatrains and a couplet. The rhyme scheme is usually a couplet. The rhyme scheme is usually ABAB   CDCD   EFEF   GG.ABAB   CDCD   EFEF   GG.

The meter is always iambic The meter is always iambic pentameter.pentameter.

Is the following sonnet Italian or English?Is the following sonnet Italian or English?          When I consider how my light is spent,When I consider how my light is spent,

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hideAnd that one talent which is death to hideLodged with me useless, though my soul more Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bentbentTo serve therewith my Maker, and present To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide;My true account, lest he returning chide;"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?""Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?"I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts; who bestEither man's work or his own gifts; who best    Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His

state state Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed And post o'er land and ocean without rest: And post o'er land and ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait."They also serve who only stand and wait."

Shakespeare Sonnet Shakespeare Sonnet #29#29When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyesI all alone beweep my outcast state,And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,And look upon myself, and curse my fate,Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,With what I most enjoy contented least;Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,Haply I think on thee, and then my state,Like to the lark at break of day arisingFrom sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;For thy sweet love remembered such wealth bringsThat then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Shakespeare Sonnet Shakespeare Sonnet #116#116Let me not to the marriage of true mindsAdmit impediments. Love is not loveWhich alters when it alteration finds,Or bends with the remover to remove:O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,That looks on tempests and is never shaken;It is the star to every wandering bark,Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeksWithin his bending sickle's compass come;Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,But bears it out even to the edge of doom.If this be error and upon me proved,I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

John Donne Sonnet John Donne Sonnet #72#72DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so, For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures bee,         Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee do go,Rest of their bones, and souls delivery. Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,  And poppy, or charms can make us sleep as well, And better then thy stroke; why swell'st thou then; One short sleep past, wee wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.  

Elizabeth Barrett Elizabeth Barrett BrowningBrowningHow do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right. I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints. I love with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.  

Shakespeare Sonnet Shakespeare Sonnet #128#128Oft, when thou, my music, music play'st,Upon that blessed wood whose motion soundsWith thy sweet fingers, when thou gently sway'stThe wiry concord that mine ear confounds,Do I envy those jacks that nimble leapTo kiss the tender inward of thy hand,Whilst my poor lips, which should that harvest reap,At the wood's boldness by thee blushing stand!To be so tickled, they would change their stateAnd situation with those dancing chips,O'er whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait,Making dead wood more blest than living lips.Since saucy jacks so happy are in this,Give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kiss.

HOMEWORKHOMEWORK Select or imagine an object, person, scene or Select or imagine an object, person, scene or

event that expresses strong emotion. Write a event that expresses strong emotion. Write a lyric poem about it of at least 12 lines. You lyric poem about it of at least 12 lines. You may write a regular lyric poem, or an elegy or may write a regular lyric poem, or an elegy or sonnet, but no odes (you wrote those last sonnet, but no odes (you wrote those last year).year).

Use rhyme, figurative language, and imagery.Use rhyme, figurative language, and imagery. Remember a lyric poem shows the private Remember a lyric poem shows the private

thoughts and emotions of the speaker, but thoughts and emotions of the speaker, but does not tell a story. It is about one single does not tell a story. It is about one single unified topic or theme.unified topic or theme.

Type the poem and bring it to class tomorrow.Type the poem and bring it to class tomorrow.