Sonnets and Shakespeare Brit Lit: Periods 3

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Sonnets and ShakespeareBrit Lit Periods 3 7

• Ms. S. Portera
• CAATA Fall 2006

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Do Now
Take 5 minutes to think and answer in your
notebooks. Then we will go over it as a class.
What does corny mean to you? What makes
something corny?
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Some CORNY Answers
Lets share our definitions of corny. I will
write them on the board as we go around the room.

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Why did we make this list?
Lets hear your reasons/ educated guesses why we
would make this list.
My reasons for this list
What we will be studying next some would consider
CORNY.
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Sonnets
are a form of love poetry, usually written to a
lover. Almost like a secret admirer would write
a love note and stick in your locker.
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What is a SONNET?
A sonnet is a way to express a narrative in a
lyrical fashion. It is important that sonnets
demonstrate a story-like progression. But while
they tell their story, sonnets are lyrical and
musical, brief and memorable.
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Three Important Facts
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Different Types of Sonnets
There are two different ways to write a sonnet,
either English or Italian.

• English
• A sonnet consisting of three quatrains and a
  couplet with a rhyme scheme of
• abab cdcd efef gg
• Also called a Shakespearean sonnet

• Italian
• a sonnet consisting of an octave rhyming abba
  abba and a sestet rhyming in any of various
  patterns
• cde cde or cdc dcd
• Also called a Petrarchan sonnet

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Shakespeare and His Sonnets

• He wrote 154 sonnets, all expressing his love to
  his lover.
• They are all untitled, but are referenced by
  either their number or the first line of the
  sonnet.
• Each poem is written as an English sonnet.
• The last two lines, or couplet, explain the
  purpose for writing the poem, and summarize his
  ideas.

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Class Activity
As I read aloud Sonnet 83 twice, try to look for
the rhyme scheme, the couplet, and the
Shakespeares reasons for writing the sonnet.
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Shakespeares Sonnet 83
Read along with me
I never saw that you did painting needAnd
therefore to your fair no painting setI found,
or thought I found, you did exceedThe barren
tender of a poet's debtAnd therefore have I
slept in your report,That you yourself being
extant well might showHow far a modern quill
doth come too short,Speaking of worth, what
worth in you doth grow.This silence for my sin
you did impute,Which shall be most my glory,
being dumbFor I impair not beauty being
mute,When others would give life and bring a
tomb.  There lives more life in one of your fair
eyes  Than both your poets can in praise devise.
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Partner Analysis of Sonnet 83
Break up into pairs, and with your partner

• Look up unfamiliar words.
• Provide a summary of the sonnet. What is
  Shakespeare saying?
• Find the rhyme scheme by underlining similar
  rhymes.
• Locate the rhyming couplet in the poem by
  circling it.

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Group Analysis of Sonnet 83
Pairs team up with another pair to become a
4-person group. In groups, discuss

• The summary of the sonnet. What is Shakespeare
  saying?
• Compare your answers for the rhyme scheme and
  the rhyming couplet in the poem.
• Questions, comparisons with other pieces of
  literature or media, problems that arise, etc.

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Class Discussion
What is Shakespeare saying? Lets share our
definitions. I will write them on the board as
we go around the room.
?
?
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Rhyming Scheme and Couplet
Scheme is underlined, couplet is circled
I never saw that you did painting needAnd
therefore to your fair no painting setI found,
or thought I found, you did exceedThe barren
tender of a poet's debtAnd therefore have I
slept in your report,That you yourself being
extant well might showHow far a modern quill
doth come too short,Speaking of worth, what
worth in you doth grow.This silence for my sin
you did impute,Which shall be most my glory,
being dumbFor I impair not beauty being
mute,When others would give life and bring a
tomb.  There lives more life in one of your fair
eyes  Than both your poets can in praise devise.
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Review of Todays Lesson
What did you learn today?

• Definition of a Sonnet
• Difference between Italian and English Sonnets
• Shakespeares facts and sonnets
• Rhyming Couplets
• Rhyme Scheme
• Sonnet 83- why was it written

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Homework for Tomorrow

• Find lyrics to two songs-
• One that flatters their lover (Back at One
  Brian McKnight)
• The other that belittles their lover (like Gold
  Digger by Kanye West)

See you tomorrow!