SonnetsSonnets

Poetry Unit

8th Grade English

Today…Today…

• We are going to focus in the last form of poetry for your book-the sonnet.

• Although it is a Western style of poetry, the sonnet does have a distinct form.

• There are three major types of sonnets. You may choose to write whichever one you wish.

The SonnetThe Sonnet

• The sonnet was a form of poetry that has its roots in Europe.

• Although much older, the sonnet became a popular form of poetry during the early Middle Ages.

• Sonnets were popular throughout the Middle Ages, into the Renaissance, and continuing into the 1800’s.

The SonnetThe Sonnet

• The sonnet has fallen out of favor in more modern times.

• Free verse poetry has really made the sonnet seem old-fashioned and too hard to write.

• However, several poets are pushing for the return of the sonnet writing.

The SonnetThe Sonnet

• There are several basic rules for any type of sonnet. – They are written in stanzas (kind of like paragraphs).

They are typically either 3 or 4 stanzas long.– Sonnets are always 14 lines and have some sort of

rhyming scheme. – Sonnets, for the most part, tell a story.

• Sonnets usually tell a story and are usually about love, loss, war, or beauty.

Types of SonnetsTypes of Sonnets

• There are three major types of sonnets.– The English sonnet

(Shakespearian or Elizabethan)

– The Petrarchan sonnet (Italian)

– The Spenserian sonnet

• Let’s look at each type!

The Petrarchan sonnetThe Petrarchan sonnet• The Petrarchan, or Italian, sonnet came

around during the 13th century.

• The Italian sonnet’s pattern goes:

abba

abba

cdc

cdc

– Check out the following Petrarchan sonnet!

Marching Off To War

Way upon a distant shoreThe passion is perceived,

The hatred is believedBy the mighty dogs of war.

The animosities are coldEnemies are to fight,Waiting for the bite

The hatreds are so bold.

Getting a baptism by fire.Ready to change the world

Men marching to their funeral pyre

The time has come to say goodbyeTo the world as we know it

The peace of the world belied.

The English SonnetThe English Sonnet

• The English sonnet is the most recognizable.

• English sonnets were introduced by Thomas Wyatt in the early 16th century.

• The most famous English sonnet poet was William Shakespeare. In fact, English sonnets are also known as Shakespearean sonnets.

The English SonnetsThe English Sonnets

• English sonnets are the easiest sonnets to write.

• They follow this pattern: ababcdcdefefgg

Here is an example:

Shakespearean SonnetShakespearean Sonnet• SONNET I•  1. From fairest creatures we desire increase,

2. That thereby beauty's rose might never die,3. But as the riper should by time decease,4. His tender heir might bear his memory:

• 5. But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes,6. Feed'st thy light's flame with self-substantial fuel,7. Making a famine where abundance lies,8. Thy self thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel:

• 9. Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament,10. And only herald to the gaudy spring,11. Within thine own bud buriest thy content,12. And, tender churl, mak'st waste in free:

• 13. Pity the world, or else this glutton be,14. To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee.

The Spenserian SonnetThe Spenserian Sonnet

• As a rival to Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser created another form of sonnet.

• This sonnet is almost as easy as the Shakespearean by much easier than the Italian. Its pattern is:

• abab• bcbc• cdcd• ee

The trick to writing this sonnet is to find several words that have more than one rhyme.

Spenserian SonnetSpenserian SonnetHappy ye leaves! when those lily hands, (a)

 Which hold my life in their dead doing might, (b)Shall handle you, and hold in love's soft bands, (a)

 Like captives trembling at the victor's sight. (b)

 And happy lines on which, with starry light, (b)  Those lamping eyes will deign sometimes to look,(c)

 And read the sorrows of my dying sprite, (b)  Written with tears in heart's close bleeding book. (c)

  And happy rhymes! bathed in the sacred brook (c)   Of Helicon, whence she derived is, (d)

  When ye behold that angel's blessed look, (c)   My soul's long lacked food, my heaven's bliss. (d)

    Leaves, lines, and rhymes seek her to please alone, (e)    Whom if ye please, I care for other none. (e)

Other forms of sonnetsOther forms of sonnets

• There are several other forms of sonnets.

• They include: – Pushkin sonnets (Russian sonnets)– Caudete sonnets (A French sonnet that also

includes another poem connected)– Curtal sonnets (It is an 11 line sonnet that

counts accents!)

Remember…Remember…

• A sonnet is typically a 14 line poem. • It is generally about romance, war, beauty,

nature, or loss.• A sonnet will tell a story with its words. • Sonnets have a distinct rhyming scheme. The

writing scheme changes with the different types of sonnet.

• Sonnets are not as popular now; the free verse is seen as being easier and more modern.

• Sonnets are seen as being old-fashioned; however, there is a movement of current poets that are trying to bring it back.

Your assignmentYour assignment

• Your assignment for tonight is to write a sonnet.– You are to pick your topic for your practice

poem. – Write a poem, following one of the formats

listed. (Use the worksheet and www.rhymezone.com for help!)

– Check format! – Good luck!