Lesson 2 Sonnet Structure & Iambic Pentameter Purpose -to examine the structure of a sonnet -analyze sonnet

What is a sonnet? Review Sonnet: 14 line poem that rhymes in a certain pattern A sonnet is a poem made up of three quatrains (in iambic pentameter) followed by a concluding couplet. It has a total of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of abab, cdcd, efef, gg.

Shakespeare’s Sonnets Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets. His sonnets are numbered, not titled. All are in iambic pentameter.

Shakespeare’s Sonnets Most of Shakespeare’s sonnets are speaking to a handsome young lord. Shakespeare advises and praises him. The other sonnets are speaking to or about Shakespeare’s mistress. She also became the young lord’s mistress. She is also referred to as a “dark lady,” meaning that her features (hair, eyes) are dark.

What goes in a sonnet? Review Quatrain: 4 lines grouped together by a certain rhyme pattern Couplet: 2 lines that rhyme Quatrain A quatrain is four lines of verse with this rhyme scheme: A-B-A-B, meaning that the first and third, and second and fourth lines rhyme. The QUATRAINS of the English sonnet present an idea, problem, or story.

What goes in a sonnet? Review Rhyming Couplet A couplet is two lines of verse that rhyme. To borrow from the example above, the lines would have an "A- A" rhyme scheme. The COUPLET either summarizes the sonnets or gives surprise ending.

English Sonnet Abab cdcdefef gg Quatrain Couplet

Iambic Pentameter Each line of a sonnet has ten syllables. Each line also has a certain rhythm, called iambic pentameter..

Iambic Pentameter Iambic pentameter is made of 5 sets of unstressed and stressed syllables. (i.e. U S U S U S U S U S) STRESSED SYLLABLES are emphasized when spoken.

Iambic Pentameter Stressed syllables are marked with Unstressed syllables are marked with

Iambic Pentameter Mark iambic pentameter for the following line: Two households both alike in dignity

In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, For they in thee a thousand errors note; But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, Who in despite of view is pleased to dote;

Things to Look for when Reading a Sonnet Rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg quatrains and couplet Form Meaning Iambic pentameter 10 syllables per line Alternating unstressed and stressed syllable

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 possess'd, Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself 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 remember'd such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Sonnet 29 - Modern When I’m in disgrace with everyone and my luck has deserted me, I sit all alone and cry about the fact that I’m an outcast, and bother God with useless cries, which fall on deaf ears, and look at myself and curse my fate, wishing that I had more to hope for, wishing I had this man’s good looks and that man’s friends, this man’s skills and that man’s opportunities, and totally dissatisfied with the things I usually enjoy the most. Yet, as I’m thinking these thoughts and almost hating myself, I happen to think about you, and then my condition improves—like a lark at daybreak rising up and leaving the earth far behind to sing hymns to God. For when I remember your sweet love, I feel so wealthy that I’d refuse to change places even with kings.