Exploring Shakespeare's Sonnets: Understanding the Italian and Shakespearean Sonnet Forms

Exploring Shakespeare's Sonnets: Understanding the Italian and Shakespearean Sonnet Forms

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the difference between Italian and Shakespearean sonnets, identify iambic pentameter, and analyze Shakespeare's Sonnet 18.

Introduce the learning objective and set expectations for the lesson.

What do you already know about sonnets?

What is a Sonnet?

A sonnet is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure.

Define what a sonnet is and provide a brief overview of its characteristics.

Italian Sonnet

An Italian sonnet is divided into two parts: an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines). The rhyme scheme is typically ABBAABBA for the octave and CDCDCD or CDEEDE for the sestet.

Explain the structure and rhyme scheme of an Italian sonnet, and provide examples of the rhyme schemes for the octave and sestet.

Shakespearean Sonnet

A Shakespearean sonnet is divided into three quatrains (4 lines) and a final couplet (2 lines). The rhyme scheme is typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Explain the structure and rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet, and provide examples of the rhyme scheme for each quatrain and the final couplet.

Iambic Pentameter

Iambic pentameter is a rhythm pattern that consists of 5 iambs, which are metrical feet made up of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable.

Define iambic pentameter and provide examples of how it is used in poetry.

Shakespeare and Iambic Pentameter

Shakespeare wrote most of his sonnets in iambic pentameter. This rhythm pattern gives the sonnets a natural flow and makes them sound like spoken language.

Explain how Shakespeare used iambic pentameter in his sonnets, and how it contributes to the overall effect of his writing.

Sonnet 18

Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, also known as 'Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?', is one of his most famous sonnets. It is a Shakespearean sonnet that follows the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme and is written in iambic pentameter.

Introduce Sonnet 18 and provide its title, common name, and structure.

Sonnet 18 Analysis: Part 1

The first quatrain of Sonnet 18 compares the subject of the poem to a summer's day, highlighting the subject's beauty and perfection.

Analyze the first quatrain of Sonnet 18, and discuss how it contributes to the overall meaning of the poem.

Sonnet 18 Analysis: Part 2

The second quatrain of Sonnet 18 acknowledges that summer is fleeting and temporary, and contrasts it with the subject's eternal beauty.

Analyze the second quatrain of Sonnet 18, and discuss how it contributes to the overall meaning of the poem.

Sonnet 18 Analysis: Part 3

The third quatrain of Sonnet 18 suggests that the subject's beauty will be preserved forever in the poem, and that the poem itself will become a way to immortalize the subject's beauty.

Analyze the third quatrain of Sonnet 18, and discuss how it contributes to the overall meaning of the poem.

Sonnet 18 Analysis: Part 4

The final couplet of Sonnet 18 concludes that the subject's beauty will never fade, as long as people continue to read the poem and appreciate the subject's beauty.

Analyze the final couplet of Sonnet 18, and discuss how it contributes to the overall meaning of the poem.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.