renaissance poetry 1485-1603 british literature. the sonnet: a history in the fourteenth century, an...
TRANSCRIPT
Renaissance Poetry1485-1603
British Literature
The Sonnet: A History
• In the fourteenth century, an Italian writer named Petrarch perfected the sonnet form.
• Then, in the early sixteenth century, Thomas Wyatt brought sonnets to English writing.
The Sonnet: Definition
• A sonnet is a lyric poem with fourteen lines written about one theme, most often something to do with love. It is often written to and about a perfect, unattainable lady.
• The English sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, like Shakespeare’s plays. It is composed of three quatrains and a couplet at the end.
• Sonnet sequence: a connected series of sonnets that were written with a similar theme in mind.
• Ex. Astrophel and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney
Edmund Spenser
1552-1599
Worked his way through Cambridge University
Published first poems while attending CU
Depended on earnings from poems
Spenser
In 1580, Spenser took position as a secretary to the Lord Deputy of Ireland
On a visit to Ireland in 1589, Sir Walter Raleigh read and was impressed with one of Spenser’s unpublished poems. Persuaded him to publish it.
The Faerie Queene is Spenser’s greatest poem; three books long.
Spenser
In The Faerie Queene, Spenser created a new type of nine-line stanza, which was later named for him.
He also created a sonnet form: the Spenserian sonnet.
His sonnet sequence Amoretti is addressed to the poet’s own wife, not an inaccessible, idealized beauty.
Sir Philip Sidney1554-1586
A courtier, scholar, poet, and soldier – a true “Renaissance man.”
Attended both Oxford and Cambridge and traveled extensively through Europe.
Became a favorite in the court of Queen Elizabeth I.
SidneyAlthough well connected, he was always very
modest.
Knighted in 1583
In 1586, during a military engagement against the Spanish Catholics, Sidney was severely wounded.
Twenty-six days later, he died.
SidneyHe wrote the first great sonnet sequence in
English, Astrophel and Stella.
His were the first sonnets linked by subject matter and theme.
Sequence was inspired by Penelope Devereux to whom Sidney had been engaged.
Sonnet
A fourteen-line lyric poem with a single theme.
Each line in a sonnet is usually in iambic pentameter – five groups of two syllables, each with the accent on the second syllable.
Sonnets take definite forms.
Petrarchan SonnetDivided into an eight-line octave, rhyming abba abba
Followed by a six-line sestet, rhyming cdecde.
Often the octave poses a problem that is answered in the sestet.
Spenserian SonnetRhymes abab bcbc cdcdee
Ex. One day I wrote her name upon the strand,But came the waves and washed it away:
Again I wrote it with a second hand,But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.
Pastoral Sonnet
• People living in London longed for an idyllic, simple country life.
• Not realistic depictions• Often involve shepherds• Themes of love and seduction, purity of
country life versus corruption of city life, politics, and death.
Subject Matter of Sonnets
The standard subject-matter of early sonnets was
the torments of courtly love (usually within a
courtly love convention), but in the 17th
century, it extended to religion and politics.
Types of Love
o Platonic love (family, friends, pets)
o Sexual love (lust, physical love)
o Puppy love (young, flirtatious & fleeting,
infatuation)
o Committed love (marriage, partnership, reliance
and respect)
o Spiritual/Religious love
Rhyme Scheme
Before you even begin the piece, look to the end of the lines and write out the rhyme scheme of the poem.
TPFASTT
T – TitleP—Paraphrase
F – Figurative DevicesA– Attitude
S – ShiftsT – Type of Sonnet
T – Theme
T-Title
• What do you think the title means? What does it tell you about the poem?
P – Paraphrase
What is the sonnet about?
In your own words, summarize the sonnet.
F – Figurative Devices
Look beyond the literal devices and examine the figurative and sound devices.
How do they affect meaning/feeling?
A –Attitude
Analyze the narrator’s and poet’s attitudes (tone).
A few words to use when describing tone: dreamy, urgent, provocative, somber, dramatic,
sentimental, sarcastic, seductive, benevolent, whimsical, allusive, fanciful, compassionate, vibrant, contemptuous
S – Shifts
Note shifts in tone, subject, speaker, situation and diction.
Are there any changes in the sonnet from one tone/mood to another?
T – Type of Sonnet
Based on the rhyme scheme and form of the sonnet, determine the type of sonnet.
Ex. abba abba cdecde - Petrarchan
T–Theme
A theme is a sentence, NOT a word.
What is the poem saying?
What is the “message”?