1. Shakespeare’s Sonnets

2. Shakespeare published 154 sonnets in 1609. Shakespeare published 154 sonnets in 1609. The speaker is male, and the chief subject is love. The speaker is male, and the chief subject is love. They say profound things about important human experiences, and they say them with great art. They say profound things about important human experiences, and they say them with great art. Many literary critics think they are the supreme utterances of the English language. Many literary critics think they are the supreme utterances of the English language.

3. Form of Shakespearean Sonnet Fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Three quatrains and a couplet. Three quatrains and a couplet. Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg

4. The organization of ideas can vary from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal with a question about human experience, followed by a final summary or explanation. The organization of ideas can vary from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal with a question about human experience, followed by a final summary or explanation.

6. Sonnet 18 The speaker laments the fleeting and ephemeral nature of beauty. What else in life do we mourn for its brevity? How do we find comfort or meaning in such loss? The speaker laments the fleeting and ephemeral nature of beauty. What else in life do we mourn for its brevity? How do we find comfort or meaning in such loss?

7. Sonnet 29 What might people today envy in their neighbors? What might help a modern person feel more satisfied? What might people today envy in their neighbors? What might help a modern person feel more satisfied?

8. Sonnet 71 Describe the tone of the speaker towards his loved one. How is this different than Sonnet 30? Describe the tone of the speaker towards his loved one. How is this different than Sonnet 30?

9. Sonnet 73 The speaker of Sonnet 73 is much older than his beloved. What are your views of May-December romance? Describe examples. The speaker of Sonnet 73 is much older than his beloved. What are your views of May-December romance? Describe examples.

10. Sonnet 116 Sonnet 116 is often read at weddings or funerals. Do you think it is appropriate for either occasion? Why? Sonnet 116 is often read at weddings or funerals. Do you think it is appropriate for either occasion? Why?

11. Sonnet 130 If you were the speaker’s beloved, would you be flattered or offended by this poem? Why? If you were the speaker’s beloved, would you be flattered or offended by this poem? Why?