Shakespeare

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Shakespeares Sonnets
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Literary Focus Shakespearean Sonnet
A sonnet is a fourteen-line lyric poem, usually
about love.
The English, or Shakespearean, sonnet consists of
three quatrains (rhyming four-line units)
followed by a couplet (a pair of rhyming lines)
at the end.

• The three quatrains often express related ideas.

• The couplet sums up the poets message.

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Literary Focus Shakespearean Sonnet
Like most sonnets, the Shakespearean sonnet is
written in a particular meter, or rhythmic
pattern, called iambic pentameter
Each line consists of five unstressed syllables
alternating with five stressed syllables.
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Literary Focus Shakespearean Sonnet
The typical rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean
sonnet is abab cdcd efef gg.
First quatrain
a
b
a
b
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Literary Focus Shakespearean Sonnet

• Shakespearean sonnets, like most all sonnets,
  will contain a turn or volta.
• The turn (volta) indicates a shift in thought or
  focus of the poem.
• Some turns are very pronounced others are more
  subtle.
• As you read the sonnets, try to locate the turn
  in each one.

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Sonnets Background
Shakespeares greatest nondramatic poetry is in a
group of 154 sonnets. These sonnets

• have a vast richness of language and imagery

• show an unusual depth of perception and feeling

• extend beyond the conventional subject of love to
  a contemplation of the beauty of life and the
  mortality of man

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Background
In his first 126 sonnets, Shakespeare celebrates
his devoted friendship with a young man.
He considers this relationship higher and less
selfish than his passionate love for the dark
lady who is the subject of the remaining 28
sonnets.
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Meet the Writer
William Shakespeare (15641616) is best known for
his brilliant success as a playwright. However,
had Shakespeare written no plays at all, his
reputation as a poet would still have been
immense. His sonnetsall 154 of themare regarded
as some of the finest poetry ever written.
More About the Writer
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Background
Shakespeares greatest nondramatic poetry is in a
group of 154 sonnets. These sonnets

• have a vast richness of language and imagery

• show an unusual depth of perception and feeling

• extend beyond the conventional subject of love to
  a contemplation of the beauty of life and the
  mortality of man

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Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare
At the beginning of Sonnet 29, the speaker
describes some volatile emotions envy,
self-pity, and self-hatred.

• Consider what you know about Shakespeare and
  about poetry.

• Do you think the entire poem will be about envy
  and self-pity? If not, what do you think it will
  end up being about?

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Sonnet 29Literary Focus Shakespearean Sonnet
As you read Sonnet 29, notice

• where each quatrain begins and ends

• which words rhyme in the quatrains

• how the couplet is used to sum up the message

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