Activity OnePoetry, Sound, and Music

Activity TwoA Visit to the Hometown

of Shakespeare

Material DesignerChen Chienchou

Poetry is a kind of music made up of words. To enjoy the art of poetry, you have to read it slowly and expressively, as if you were singing a song, sipping a cup of coffee, or tasting a piece of cheese cake. In this section, we will learn about rhyme in poetry and listen to beautiful recitation of two sonnets.

Activity OnePoetry, Sound, and Music

Poem Recitation

Dear Poem-lovers, I am William Shakespeare. Now, We are going to listen to a beautiful

recitation of my sonnet 18 by an English actor,

Michael Sheen. Be sure to be quiet and pay

attention to the end word of each line.

Enjoy it.

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?Thou art more lovely and more temperate:Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,And often is his gold complexion dimmed;And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

And every fair from fair some declines,And every fair from fair some declines,By chance or nature’s changing course By chance or nature’s changing course

untrimmeduntrimmed

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,But thy eternal summer shall not fade,Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st,Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st,

Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st.When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st.

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Can you feel the beauty of the poem? If you would like to make

your poem sound more lovely, rhyming is a

very important technique. Next, we are going to learn

something about rhyme in poetry.

The Musical Sound Effect of Poetry

Different Kinds of Rhyme

Here are some major types of rhyme. I. Exact (or Full) Rhyme: You repeat the exact end sounds, such

as “bee/tea” and “found/sound.”II. Slant (or Half) Rhyme: You choose words with similar end sounds, such as “cord/court,” “harp/hope,” “impeded/defeated.”III. Sight (or Eye) Rhyme: You use words that look alike but sound different, such as “proved/loved” and “pour/sour,” “near/bear”

Rhyme Scheme

Rhyme scheme is the pattern you arrange rhyming words in a poem. The most common way to show the pattern is to use English letters to represent each end sound. For example:

Make new friends, But keep the old.Those are silver,These are gold.

a

bcb

One more One more example!example!

Twinkle, twinkle, littleTwinkle, twinkle, little starstar,,

How I wonder who youHow I wonder who you areare..

Up above the world soUp above the world so highhigh

Like a diamond inLike a diamond in thethe sky.sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, littleTwinkle, twinkle, little star,star,

How I wonder who youHow I wonder who you are.are.

a a

bb

aa

Rhyme Scheme: ExerciseRhyme Scheme: Exercise

Now let’s use a poem that we Now let’s use a poem that we have learned in Book I and have learned in Book I and analyze its rhyme scheme.analyze its rhyme scheme.

Gathering Leaves

Spades take up leavesleavesNo better than spoonsspoons, And bags f

ull of leavesleavesAre (as) light as balloonsballoons.

I make a great noiseOf rustling all dayday

Like rabbit and deerRunning awayaway.

aabbaabb

ccddeedd

Shall I compare thee to a summer’sShall I compare thee to a summer’s dayday??Thou art more lovely and moreThou art more lovely and more temperatetemperate::Rough wins do shake the darling buds ofRough wins do shake the darling buds of MayMay,,And summer’s lease hath all too short aAnd summer’s lease hath all too short a datedate;;

Sometime too hot the eye of heavenSometime too hot the eye of heaven shines shines,,And often is his gold complexionAnd often is his gold complexion dimmeddimmed;;And every fair from fair someAnd every fair from fair some declinesdeclines,,ByBy chancechance oror nature’snature’s changingchanging coursecourse untrimmeduntrimmed..

Analyze the rhyme scheme Analyze the rhyme scheme in Sonnet 18.in Sonnet 18.

aa

aabb

bb

cc

ccdd

dd

But thy eternal summer shall notBut thy eternal summer shall not fadefade,,Nor lose possession of that fair thouNor lose possession of that fair thou ow’stow’st,,Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in hisNor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shadeshade,,When in eternal lines to time thouWhen in eternal lines to time thou grow’stgrow’st..

So long as men can breathe or eyes canSo long as men can breathe or eyes can seesee,,So long lives this, and this gives life toSo long lives this, and this gives life to theethee..

eeff

eeff

gggg

A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem. My sonnets are mostly composed of three quatrains (a four-line stanza) and a couplet (a two-line stanza). They are still loved by many contemporary readers!

But why do poets write in rhymes?But why do poets write in rhymes?

First of all, it provides pleasure for the ears and fulfill the human desire to see likeness in difference. Moreover, it also helps one to memorize the poem because of repetition and regularity.

Now, let’s listen to another recitation of a sonnet written by a female poet, Elizabeth Barret Brownin

g.

Appreciating Poem Recitation

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breath and heightI love thee to the depth and breath and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal Grace.For the ends of being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday’sI love thee to the level of everyday’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

How do I Love Thee?How do I Love Thee?By Elizabeth Barrent Browning (1806-1861)By Elizabeth Barrent Browning (1806-1861)

I love thee with the passion put to useI love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs; and with my childhood’s faith.In my old griefs; and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to loseI love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.I shall but love thee better after death.

Read by Laura Paton Read by Laura Paton from A Lover’s Gift ,Naxos-4023 from A Lover’s Gift ,Naxos-4023 滾石古典百科全書滾石古典百科全書 -23-23

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breath and heightI love thee to the depth and breath and heightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sightMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sightFor the ends of being and ideal Grace.For the ends of being and ideal Grace.I love thee to the level of everyday’sI love thee to the level of everyday’sMost quiet need, by sun and candlelight.Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

P.S. The 1st and 4th word ( “ways” and “Grace”)In the first stanza is a half rhyme.

The Rhyme Scheme of the Poem is…

aabb

bbaa

aabb

bbaa

I love thee with the passion put to useI love thee with the passion put to useIn my old griefs; and with my childhood faith.In my old griefs; and with my childhood faith.I love thee with a love I seemed to loseI love thee with a love I seemed to loseWith my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,I shall but love thee better after death.I shall but love thee better after death.

ccdd

ccddcc

dd

How do you like the poem? I am Elizabeth, the writer of this sonnet. The poem is from a forty-four sonnet sequence written for my beloved husband, Robert Browning, also a great poet. Though having encountered many difficulties, we are still deeply in love with each other.

I am a very lucky guy to have such a talented wife, and I’m really proud of her.

End of Activity I

http://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/thimelines/shakespeare.php?year=0&syear=3&

Activity TwoA Visit to the Hometown of William

Shakespeare

1558-1599

United States of America Canada

EnglandIreland

Question: Where was Willian born?Question: Where was Willian born?

Sorry, wrong answer. Sorry, wrong answer.

Don’t give up!Don’t give up!

Click on the picture and try Click on the picture and try again!again!

Bingo! You’re right!Bingo! You’re right!

He was born in Warwickshire, He was born in Warwickshire, England.England.

London

Warwickshire

To be more precise, he was To be more precise, he was born and brought up in a born and brought up in a

beautiful small town named beautiful small town named Stratford-upon-Avon.Stratford-upon-Avon.

Yes, this is my hometown, also a famous tourist spot now in England! Now, let me show you around in

Stratford.

Source of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

:“This is a picture of :“This is a picture of my birthplace in Henley my birthplace in Henley Street, in the centre of tStreet, in the centre of the town.”he town.”

:“This is the town :“This is the town center, where used to center, where used to be the marketplace.”be the marketplace.”

:“This stone bridge, built :“This stone bridge, built in the 15th century, stretches in the 15th century, stretches across Avon Canal.”across Avon Canal.”

http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/index.hthttp://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/index.htmm

Source: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htmSource: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

:“:“This is the old This is the old grammar school I attended. grammar school I attended. Built in 1428, later it was Built in 1428, later it was called King Edward VI called King Edward VI Grammar School for Grammar School for Boys.Boys.””

:“This is the :“This is the inside of the school.”inside of the school.”

A Watercolor of William Shakespeare's Old School, A Watercolor of William Shakespeare's Old School, King Edward VI Grammar School for Boys. King Edward VI Grammar School for Boys.

by John Davisby John Davis

http://www.stratford-upon-avon.co.uk/jdavis.htm

:“After working for :“After working for many years in London, I many years in London, I returned to Stratford in returned to Stratford in 1597 and bought this 1597 and bought this house, the second house, the second largest in town.”largest in town.”

:“In the last six years :“In the last six years of my life, I lived in this of my life, I lived in this house with one of my house with one of my daughters, Susanna. daughters, Susanna. This is the interior of the This is the interior of the house.”house.”Source of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htmSource of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

:“This view, looking :“This view, looking along Stratford High along Stratford High Street, shows several Street, shows several buildings built in the buildings built in the Elizabethan fashion.”Elizabethan fashion.”

:“This modern red-:“This modern red-brick building is the brick building is the Shakespeare Memorial Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, housing a Theatre, housing a theatre, picture gallery, theatre, picture gallery, museum, and library.museum, and library. ””Source of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htmSource of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

Source of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htmSource of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

:“This is Holy :“This is Holy Trinity Church, where I Trinity Church, where I was buried.”was buried.”

:“This is a memorial to :“This is a memorial to me cast in bronze in me cast in bronze in 1888.”1888.”

Shakespeare’s Birthday CelebrationsShakespeare’s Birthday CelebrationsIn Stratford-Upon-Avon In Stratford-Upon-Avon

April 23rd (St George's Day) April 23rd (St George's Day) is the anniversary of is the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, and it is Shakespeare’s birth, and it is also a time of celebrations in also a time of celebrations in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The Stratford-Upon-Avon. The celebrations are normally celebrations are normally held on the Saturday nearest held on the Saturday nearest to April 23rd. Now, let’s take to April 23rd. Now, let’s take a look of the famous parade a look of the famous parade among the many activities.among the many activities.

The parade begins with the reed and The parade begins with the reed and brass band performance.brass band performance.

Then, local dignitaries are followed by Then, local dignitaries are followed by ambassadors to the UK from most nations.ambassadors to the UK from most nations.

Source of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htmSource of Photos: http://www.cv81pl.freeserve.co.uk/stratford.htm

Here com the most colorful procession of the actors and actresses dressed up

in Elizabethan costumes.

Procession of Actors and ActressesProcession of Actors and Actresses

The staff and students of King Edward VI's GrThe staff and students of King Edward VI's Grammar School (Shakespeare's School) also atammar School (Shakespeare's School) also at

tract everyone’s attention. tract everyone’s attention.

The procession terminates at Holy TrinitThe procession terminates at Holy Trinity Church, where participants place their y Church, where participants place their flowers on Shakespeare's grave, inside flowers on Shakespeare's grave, inside

the church. the church.

By the way, do you know which king or By the way, do you know which king or queen was in power in Shakespeare’s time?queen was in power in Shakespeare’s time?

Make a guess!Make a guess!

King Henry VIIIKing Henry VIII Queen Elizabeth I Queen Elizabeth I

Sorry, wrong answer. Sorry, wrong answer. Don’t give up!Don’t give up!

Click on the picture and try again!Click on the picture and try again!

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I on the Battleship, Aarmda.

http://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/gallery.htmlhttp://tudorhistory.org/elizabeth/gallery.html

Bingo! You’re right!Bingo! You’re right! :“:“Queen Queen Elizabeth I, ruling Elizabeth I, ruling England from 1558 to England from 1558 to 1603 was also an 1603 was also an important patron and important patron and supporter of theater supporter of theater and literature. And and literature. And King Henry VIII was King Henry VIII was her father.her father.””

http://images.google.comhttp://images.google.com

A Film of Shakespearean Romance:A Film of Shakespearean Romance:Shakespeare in LoveShakespeare in Love

Major Characters in the StoryMajor Characters in the Story

Joseph Fiennes as William Joseph Fiennes as William Shakespeare, who is looking Shakespeare, who is looking for ideas for his playfor ideas for his play

Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola,Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola, the muse who inspired S the muse who inspired Shakespeare to write wondhakespeare to write wonderful plays erful plays

The Queen in the FilmThe Queen in the Film

Judi Dench as Queen ElizabethJudi Dench as Queen Elizabeth

:“In the movie, :“In the movie, Queen Elizabeth, is cQueen Elizabeth, is characterized as a heaharacterized as a headstrong, witty, and wdstrong, witty, and wise woman. The stunise woman. The stunning performance of ning performance of the actress, Judi Denthe actress, Judi Dench also won her an Och also won her an Oscar award for the bescar award for the best actress in a suppost actress in a supporting role.”rting role.”

If you would like to know more aIf you would like to know more about my life, my works, or anythibout my life, my works, or anything about me, you can log on the ng about me, you can log on the following website to look for whafollowing website to look for what you are interested in. t you are interested in.

http://shakespeare.about.com/http://shakespeare.about.com/

End of Activity II