Aim: How can further implementation of our poetry skills enhance our exploration and analysis of Shakespearean Sonnets?
Do Now: Whole Class Discussion
Consider the word “Summer”. What symbolic meanings or connotations are usually associated with this word? Why?
After the class discussion, many agreed that summer has a positive connotation to it. They compared the term summer to words such as maturity, freedom and relaxation. Summer is considered the final state of growth. Summer also creates an image of beaches and good warm weather.
The Structure of a Shakespearean Sonnet
Shakespearean sonnets are poems that have 14 lines.
Mostly are about romance.
These sonnets are split into four different parts: three quatrains (each contain four lines) and a rhyming couplet which has two lines and is located at the end of the poem.
The first one contains the introduction of the subject of the poem
Second shows complications within the subject
In the last two quatrains, it solves the complications or changes the subject in some type of way.
Has to follow the following rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
Usually are written in iambic pentameter (metric line made of unstressed syllables that are followed by stressed ones)
Stressed syllables are marked with a / over the letters, unstressed ones are marked au /
The video
Iambic Pentameter has 10 syllables that change back and forth from stressed and unstressed syllables.
Iambic Pentameter has 5 iambs
We normally speak in Iambic Pentameter.
Could you please put the milk back in the fridge?
My sneakers are too tight when I wear socks.
There are many different types of verses and Iambic Pentameter is an example of one.
Iamb: 2 syllable parts of a total meter. First unstressed then stressed.
Look at the rhyme scheme, figurative language, diction and tone as you read and annotate the poem for its meaning.
Group work: As a group, you guys have to mark the open by finding its rhyme scheme and then answering the following questions.
This commonly known poem showcases its rhyme scheme.
Using letters A-G, demonstrate the rhyme scheme.
Using the capital letters A-G, mark the poem (in the same way as the example to the right) for its rhyme scheme. In Quatrain One: According to the speaker, how does this subject compare to summer? Which does he prefer?
The rhyme scheme is ABAB. The speaker is comparing summer to his lover. The person prefers the lover over summer.
In Quatrain Two: What are the problems the speaker has with summer?
What does line 7 mean (“and every fair from fair sometimes declines”)?
CDCD. The problem is that summer goes away for periods of time, but the beauty of his lover will never fade.
In Quatrain Three: What is the main difference between the subject of the sonnet and summer?
The main difference between the subject and summer is that summer fades but his lover’s beauty won’t ever.
Rhyming Couplet: Look at lines 13-14. What is the speaker saying in the conclusion of the sonnet? Does this confirm the messages expressed in the rest of the sonnet or alter them in some way?
The subject’s beauty is preserved in the poem.
What is the theme of this sonnet?
What is the speaker’s attitude toward the subject?
The theme is that beauty can be preserved in memories.
Mark the rhyme scheme such as the one before using the same letters, A-G
Using the capital letters A-G, mark the poem (in the same way as the example to the right) for its rhyme scheme. In Quatrain One: According to the speaker, how does this subject compare to summer? Which does he prefer?
The rhyme scheme is ABAB. The speaker is comparing summer to his lover. The person prefers the lover over summer.
2. In Quatrain One: How does the speaker describe his mistress? What specific attributes does he reference?
ABAB; He points out that the mistress has many flaws. He insults her features such as her scent, hair, and cheeks.
3. In Quatrain Two: How does the speaker speak to: her cheeks, and her breath?
CDCD The speaker says her cheeks aren’t a pretty rosy color, and says her breath reeks, in other words her breath doesn’t have a good smell.
4. In Quatrain Three: How does the speaker address his mistress’ voice and walk?
How does this contrast with what most people would claim about their mistresses?
EFEF He compares the voice of his mistress to singing, and prefers singing over her voice. Also mentions the fact that she treads instead of walking like a goddess.
5. Rhyming Couplet: Look at lines 13-14.
What is the speaker saying in the conclusion of the sonnet? Why does the poet think his love is rare?
How does the poet play with conventional stereotypes of love poetry?
GG Even despite all her flaws, he still loves his mistress.
How is the speaker's lover an inversion or parody (an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect) of the petrarchan (A Petrarchan lover is melodramatic, self-consciously suffering and has given himself up to the power of his mistress) and medieval lover?
How has Shakespeare used juxtaposition, and for what purpose?
In what way(s) has the writer’s focus on physical beauty enhanced the emphasis and relevance on the theme for society at the time?
How is this theme still relevant and prevalent today?
In the beginning of the poem, the speaker touches upon the many flaws of his mistress. However, in the end, the man concludes he still loves his mistress throughout all these flaws that she obtains. He overlooks all these flaws and is still able to be in love with her. With this, you can come up with the theme of never judging someone from their appearance.
Reflection:
In the class, we learned the composition and structures of Shakespearean Sonnet. This lesson can assist us in our analysis and understanding of his Sonnets. Most of the Sonnets were written about romance in 14 lines. Divided into 3 quatrains while also sustaining the same rhyme scheme (ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG) Each line has 5 iambs or 10 syllables that can change between stressed and unstressed syllables. This overall lesson can help us further understand and gain information about the certain poems we would be reading in the future.
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