1. 2/10 Sonnets

2. What is a sonnet?
A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem in iambic pentameter.
What is iambic pentameter? It is a line of ten syllables, with five unstressed syllables alternating with stressed syllables
dee DUM dee DUM dee DUM dee DUM dee DUM
“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks”

3. History of Sonnets Sonnets originated in the 12th century
Became popular in Shakespeare’s time
Usually about LOVE, though today’s sonnets will sometimes focus on other topics

4. Rhyming pattern of the sonnet
The Shakespearean sonnet has three quatrains followed by a couplet, the scheme being: abab cdcd efef gg.
The sonnet does NOT divide the quatrains and couplets

5. First crossed by a gypsy, now by a dang witch
“Close the book, ring the bell, light the candle.” (a)
The witch’s words resounded in my ears. (b)
My problems now were more than I could handle (a)
and so I hoped she’d vanquish all my fears. (b)
She stared at me across the darkened room (c)
and then commanded me that I must stay (d)
until my wish was granted. Then a broom (c)
she grabbed, and out the door she flew away! (d)
The magic lay in me, the hag had said. (e)
I only had to wish with all my might. (f)
But with my kind of luck, I might be dead (e)
before I’d get what I had wished that night. (f)
I sit here still; she’s left me with a curse! (g)
No health care yet, and now my back is worse! (g)