We've had several discussions about Shakespeare over the time I've been here and at least some of those discussions involved the Sonnets. Shakespeare wrote a large number of sonnets. The following is an example of one of them:
As can be plotted in this example, a sonnet follows a traditional structure:
• A proposition is set out
• The proposition is then developed
• Either a conclusion is reached, or there is a thought-provoking finale
A sonnet can be humorous, sarcastic, whatever. Anybody want to try one? I will....Give me fifteen minutes. Hey, don't let me be the only one..:smile:
Below is the example of an English sonnet, written by Shakespeare.
Sonnet 130
My Mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
There in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak; yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground
Any yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
There in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak; yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground
Any yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare
As can be plotted in this example, a sonnet follows a traditional structure:
• A proposition is set out
• The proposition is then developed
• Either a conclusion is reached, or there is a thought-provoking finale
Moving on to the Italian sonnet, the same conventions are followed, but the stanzas follow a different structure. The first stanza is composed of eight lines, and the second of six lines.
A sonnet can be humorous, sarcastic, whatever. Anybody want to try one? I will....Give me fifteen minutes. Hey, don't let me be the only one..:smile: