second lesson on poetry; Sonnet

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Sonnet 

Or:

 How to not be afraid of nature and to learn how to use synonyms to make a point.

After today's class you will be able to:

    recognise a sonnet when you see one.

    now what a volta is and what it's purpose is.

    realise that Shakespear was more than a playwright

Sonnet 

Sonnet 

What is a sonnet?

Sonnet 

What is a sonnet?

A poem written in a specific manner. 

It always consists of 14 lines and is written in what is called iambic pentameter. (don't worry... we'll get to that)

The origin of the sonnet is found in Italy. The word comes from sonetto meaning 'little song'.

There are roughly 2 kinds of Sonnets...

Italian (or Petrarchan)... and...

Sonnet 

What is a sonnet?

English... Or Shakespearean Sonnets.

guess which one we're going to focus on!

Sonnet 

So... The Shakepearean sonnet.

Shakespear composed 154 sonnets during his lifetime...

- 3 couplets of 4 lines, ending with a 2 line rhyme. (14 lines)

- the rhymescheme is typically ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG.

- written in 'Iambic Pentameter'. Every line consists of 10 syllables, where the emphasis lies on every second syllable. (da-dum, da-dum, da-dum...)

- An Italian or petrarchan sonnet usually contains a volta (a turn). But Shakespearean Sonnets are believed to have no typical place for a volta. The climax is usually written in the last two lines (GG)

Let's have a look at two. You have two copies; 

Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day.

Sonnet 130: My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun.

Get out your pen. Write down words that puzzle you. Discuss in pairs what they might mean.

Discuss what stands out, what you find odd?

Extra info:

Shakespeare lived in Elizabethan times. (1564 - 1616) In those days it was quite popular to use a sh*t load of metaphores and comparisons...

Get out your pen. Write down words that puzzle you. Discuss in pairs what they might mean.

Discuss what stands out, what you find odd?

What metaphores and/or comparisons can you find? 

Can you find any similarities in them?

Who or what do you think Shakespeare wrote Sonnet 18 for?

1. A woman
2. The poem itself
3. A man
4. himself

Who do you think Shakespeare wrote Sonnet 18 for?

Shakespeare writes that a summer's day isn't as nice as one might think.

Summer is too hot or often cloudy.

the winds tend to be too wild,

Summers are too short,

they have to go to make way for autumn. So its beauty is shortlived

Who do you think Shakespeare wrote Sonnet 18 for?

Shakespeare writes that his poem is here forever.

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st.

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

When you live in eternal lines, set apart from time.

As long as men breathe or have eyes to see,

As long as this sonnet lives, it will give life to you.

volta!!

Who do you think Shakespeare wrote Sonnet 18 for?

Shakespeare writes that his poem is here forever.

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st.

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

When you live in eternal lines, set apart from time.

As long as men breathe or have eyes to see,

As long as this sonnet lives, it will give life to you.

So Shakespeare's poem states the beauty of his poem is longer lasting than a summer's day and as long as mankind enjoys this poem, 'thee' will live on... 

What are your thoughts on this?

Now take the other poem. Sonnet 130.

- look for words that puzzle you.

- discuss them with classmates.

- look for metaphors and/or comparisons. What stands out? 

- How does Shakespeare look at the mistress in the poem? 

- How does Shakespeare regard him/her?

- In which lines is the Volta? What does the Volta mean?

Write down your findings on your worksheet.

Compare them with a classmate.

what did you pick up from this class?