1. Understanding Language and the Sonnet
Shakespeare
Understanding Language and the Sonnet

2. The Language of Shakespeare
Most students don’t realize this at first, but he’s writing in English! 
Sure, the language can be a little daunting at times; however, there are numerous “tricks” to help decipher the meaning of a line.
Here are a few ways to make some sense of the word on the page…

3. Language
While modern English has eliminated a set of pronouns and verbs used for “familiar” relationships, these old forms existed in Elizabethan England and appear frequently in Shakespeare.
Follow along on your “Language Guide” for tricks to help unlock meaning.

4. Language Singular Plural 1st 2nd 3rd Subject I Thou He/she/it We Ye
They
Object Me
Thee
Him/her/it Us
You
Them
Possessive Adjective
My, mine
Thy, thine
His/hers/its
Our
Your
Their
Possessive Pronoun
Mine
Thine
theirs

5. Language Present tense current English You Are Have Will Can Shall Do
Present tense Shakespeare
Thou
Hast
Wilt
Canst
Shalt
Dost
Past tense current English
Were
Had
Would
Could
Should
Did
Past tense Shakespeare
Wast
Hadst
Wouldst
Couldst
Shouldst
didst

6. The Sonnet
A Poetic Overview

7. The Sonnet
The word “sonnet” comes from the Italian word sonnetto, meaning “little song.”
A sonnet is a lyric poem that almost always consists of fourteen lines (usually printed as a single stanza) and that typically follows one of several conventional rhyme schemes.
Sonnets may address a range of issues or themes, but love, the original subject of the sonnet, is perhaps still the most common.

8. The Sonnet
Due to the rigid rules concerning rhyme and rhythm, (good) sonnets are considered one of the more challenging poetic forms.
Two major types of sonnets exist: the Italian (or Petrarchan) sonnet and the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet.
Like the Italian sonnet, the Shakespearean sonnet has a rigid rhyme scheme and outline….

9. Shakespearean Sonnet Consists of 14 lines
The Shakespearean sonnet:
Consists of 14 lines
Is divided into three quatrains and a couplet
Has the following rhyme scheme: ababcdcdefefgg
Typically employ iambic pentameter

10. Draw This Diagram… First Quatrain Fourteen Lines Total Second Quatrain
A B C D E F G
First Quatrain
Fourteen Lines Total
Second Quatrain
Third Quatrain
Concluding Couplet (also called the “Turn”)

11. Iambic Pentameter
Iambic pentameter refers to a line of poetry containing five iambs (one unstressed, one stressed syllable).
In other words, an iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, one unaccented followed by an accented one.
The stress of each syllable in the line follows the rhythm of a heartbeat (for the most part):
“da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM”

12. Iambic Pentameter Example:
“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?”
Becomes:
“But—soft, what—light—through—yon—der—win—dow—breaks?”

13. Activity Read and analyze the Shakespearean sonnet.
If you get stuck on certain words, use the context clues in the line, the dictionary on the bookcase, or the handout you received.
Be prepared to share your responses!