WHAT IS A

SONNET?

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will be able to define a Shakespearean sonnet.

OBJECTIVES:

2. Students will be able to analyze a sonnet.

OBJECTIVES:

3. Students will be able to formulate an interpretation of sonnet through analysis.

OBJECTIVES:

4. Students will be able to explain characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet.

OBJECTIVES:

5. Students will be able to identify Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme.

OBJECTIVES:

6. Students will be able to label Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme.

DEFINITION:

•A fourteen-line lyric poem focused on a single theme.

•Often written in iambic pentameter.

WHAT IS IAMBIC PENTAMETER?

DEFINITION:

• A line of poetry with five iambs.

Example of beat: da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / da DUM / da DUM * DUM= Stressed

EXAMPLE USING IAMBIC PENTAMETER:

Shall I / compare / thee to / a sum / mer’s day?

TYPE OF SONNET FOCUSING ON FOR UNIT

SHAKESPEREAN

SONNET

LOOKS LIKE:

• Three four –line quatrains plus a concluding two line couplet.•Rhyme sheme: abab cdcd efef gg •Each of the three quatrains usually explores a different variation of the main theme

LOOKS LIKE:

Rhyming couplet-often dramatic statement that resolves, restates, or redefines the central problem of sonnet.

SEQUENCE:

154 Sonnets

Numbered

Addressed to a handsome young man urging him to marry and have children who can carry on young man’s talents.

Rival poet midway through sonnets.

SEQUENCE:

Twenty –five of the later sonnets are addressed to a dark lady.

Review

What is a sonnet?

DEFINITION:

•A fourteen-line lyric poem focused on a single theme.

•Often written in iambic pentameter.

WHAT SPECIFIC SONNET WILL WE BE GOING OVER IN THIS UNIT?

Answer: SHAKESPEREAN

SONNET

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OFA SHAKESPEREAN SONNET?

LOOKS LIKE:

• Three four –line quatrains plus a concluding two line couplet.•Rhyme sheme: abab cdcd efef gg •Each of the three quatrains usually explores a different variation of the main theme

LOOKS LIKE:

Rhyming couplet-often dramatic statement that revolves, restates, or redefines the central problem of sonnet.

Any questions?