The Sonnet Flashcards
What is a sonnet?
A fourteen-line lyric poem with a single theme. Sonnets are usually written in iambic pentameter and take a definite form.
How does the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme?
ababcdcdefefgg
How does the Petrarchan sonnet rhyme?
abbaabba cdecde
How does the Spensarian sonnet rhyme?
ababbcbc cdcdee
What is “The Sonnet Sequence”?
A group of sonnets linked by theme or subject. Perfected by Petrarch, a fourteenth-century Italian poet, the sonnet sequence was imitated and refined by English poets.
What is Sonnet 130 (William Shakespeare) about?
Idea: His girl is less than perfect
Conclusion: Although she is not beautiful, the speaker still loves her
What is Sonnet 116 (William Shakespeare) about?
Idea: True love can’t be shaken over time
Conclusion: Speaker insists that what he says about love is the truth
What is Sonnet 29 (William Shakespeare) about?
Idea: Speaker is depressed about his station in life
Conclusion: Love makes his life worth living
Where do Edmund Spenser sonnets from from?
Sonnets come from amoretty.
*Poems to his wife
amoretty - little love poems
What is Sonnet 1 (Edmund Spenser) about?
- She has power over him
- Cares about pleasing her through his poetry
- Inspired by her
What is Sonnet 75 (Edmund Spenser) about?
- Life is impermanent
- Living on his poetry
Where do Sir Philip Sidney sonnets come from?
Sonnets come from Astrophel and Stella
Astrophel - Sir Philip Sidney
Stella - Penelope Devereaux
What is Sonnet 31 (Sir Philip Sidney) about?
- Moon looks sad
- Sees his love sickness and loneliness in the moon
What is Sonnet 31 (Sir Philip Sidney) about?
What is Sonnet 39 (Sir Philip Sidney) about?
- Sleep is an escape
- He wants to see Stella in his dreams
