Shakespeare’s SonnetsShakespeare’s Sonnets

Shakespeare published 154 sonnets in 1609.Shakespeare published 154 sonnets in 1609.

The speaker is male, and the chief subject is The speaker is male, and the chief subject is love.love.

They say profound things about important They say profound things about important human experiences, and they say them with human experiences, and they say them with great art.great art.

Many literary critics think they are the Many literary critics think they are the supreme utterances of the English language.supreme utterances of the English language.

Form of Shakespearean SonnetForm of Shakespearean Sonnet

Fourteen lines of iambic pentameter.Fourteen lines of iambic pentameter.

Three quatrains and a couplet.Three quatrains and a couplet.

Rhyme scheme: Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef ggabab cdcd efef gg

The organization of ideas can vary The organization of ideas can vary from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal with a question about human with a question about human experience, followed by a final experience, followed by a final summary or explanation.summary or explanation.

The organization of ideas can vary The organization of ideas can vary from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal from sonnet to sonnet, but most deal with a question about human with a question about human experience, followed by a final experience, followed by a final summary or explanation.summary or explanation.

Sonnet 18Sonnet 18

The speaker laments the fleeting and The speaker laments the fleeting and ephemeral nature of beauty. What ephemeral nature of beauty. What else in life do we mourn for its else in life do we mourn for its brevity? How do we find comfort or brevity? How do we find comfort or meaning in such loss?meaning in such loss?

Sonnet 29Sonnet 29

What might people today envy in What might people today envy in their neighbors? What might help a their neighbors? What might help a modern person feel more satisfied?modern person feel more satisfied?

Sonnet 71Sonnet 71

Describe the tone of the speaker Describe the tone of the speaker towards his loved one. How is this towards his loved one. How is this different than Sonnet 30?different than Sonnet 30?

Sonnet 73Sonnet 73

The speaker of Sonnet 73 is much The speaker of Sonnet 73 is much older than his beloved. What are your older than his beloved. What are your views of May-December romance? views of May-December romance? Describe examples.Describe examples.

Sonnet 116Sonnet 116

Sonnet 116 is often read at weddings Sonnet 116 is often read at weddings or funerals. Do you think it is or funerals. Do you think it is appropriate for either occasion? appropriate for either occasion? Why?Why?

Sonnet 130Sonnet 130

If you were the speaker’s beloved, If you were the speaker’s beloved, would you be flattered or offended by would you be flattered or offended by this poem? Why?this poem? Why?