Shakespearian Sonnets Organized in three four-line stanzas (called quatrains) and a final two-line stanza (called a couplet) The first two quatrains present an argument (or proposition or theme). Typically, the beginning of the third quatrain marks the volta (“turn”) in which the argument of the poem shifts as the poet expresses a revelation or epiphany.

Meter A foot is a beat (typically 2 syllables) A meter is a set of feet that establish a rhythm (in iambic pentameter it’s 5 feet)

Iambic pentameter Shakespearian sonnets are composed in iambic pentameter (most of the time) An iambic foot starts with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable – da-DUM. Pentameter is a “meter” made of five feet – 1. da-DUM   2.da-DUM   3. da-DUM   4. da-DUM   5. da-DUM Iambic pentameter looks and sounds like this: When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes

Rhyme Pattern Rhyme schemes are denoted using letters of the alphabet. A matching letter indicates a rhyme. Each unique rhyming sound in a sonnet’s line is assigned a letter: …eyes   a              …hope          c                …despising   e                …brings   g …state   b              …possessed   d              …state           f                …kings    g …cries   a             …scope        c                …arising        e …fate     b              …least           d                …gate           f

Sonnet 29 When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself, and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the lark at break of day arising From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Sonnet 29 paraphrased When things are going badly and nobody likes me, I feel alone and cry, And complain loudly to heaven although nobody there is listening to me, And I feel sorry for myself, I wish I felt more hopeful, That I was good looking like that person, or popular like that other one, I want that man’s creative talent, and that other guy’s unique perspectives, I even can’t enjoy what I usually like.   As I almost hate myself and the way I am thinking, I happily think about you, and then my feelings rise, Like a bird waking as the sun rises, Above the dark, dull earth, sings a song that floats like church music to heaven; Thinking of you makes me feel so rich in happiness, That I wouldn’t want to change places with rich and powerful kings.