English Language & Grammar III

Project 1: Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Prof. Tr. Alicia Torres.

Submitted by: BIANCHINI, Luciana.

 1- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: BIOGRAPHY.

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely regarded as one
of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is
often called England's national poet and the Bard of Avon (or simply The Bard). His surviving
works consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His
plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often
than those of any other playwright.

He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564 and died there in 1616 at the age of 52.
He was the son of John Shakespeare, a successful glovemaker and local politician, and Mary
Arden, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. He attended the local grammar school in Stratford,
where he studied Latin and Greek literature. It is believed that he left school at the age of 14
and worked as a teacher and an actor in London before establishing himself as a playwright.

Shakespeare's career as a playwright began in the late 16th century, and he wrote
approximately 38 plays during his lifetime, including some of the most famous plays in the
English language, such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear. His plays
were performed at the Globe Theatre in London, which was built in 1599 by the Lord
Chamberlain's Men, the acting company in which Shakespeare was a shareholder.
Shakespeare's plays are known for their complex characters, dramatic tension, and poetic
language. He is also credited with inventing many words and phrases that are still in use today.
In addition to his plays, Shakespeare wrote more than 150 sonnets, which are considered some
of the finest love poems in the English language.

Shakespeare's personal life is shrouded in mystery, and little is known about his private life. He
married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children. Shakespeare spent most of his
adult life in London, where he became a successful businessman and a respected member of
the theatrical community.

Shakespeare's legacy has endured for more than 400 years, and his plays continue to be
performed and studied around the world. His works have been translated into every major
language, and his influence can be seen in literature, theatre, and film. Shakespeare remains
one of the most important figures in the history of English literature, and his legacy continues
to inspire and entertain people around the world.

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 2- ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND: ART, PATRONAGE, CONVENTION & ORIGINALITY.

Elizabethan England was a time of great artistic and cultural flourishing, and it was during this
period that some of the most famous works of literature and art were produced. The reign of
Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1603 saw a significant growth in art and literature, as well as a
flourishing of the arts and patronage by the royal court and wealthy merchants.

 ART:

Art during this period was heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance, and artists such as
Nicholas Hilliard and Isaac Oliver produced exquisite miniature portraits of the queen and
members of the royal court. The Elizabethan era also saw the development of new artistic
styles, such as the highly detailed and decorative Elizabethan architecture, which was
characterized by the use of intricate ornamentation and decoration.

 PATRONAGE:

During Elizabethan England, there was significant patronage of the arts and literature by the
royal court and wealthy merchants. The queen herself was a prominent patroness of the arts,
supporting writers such as William Shakespeare and Edmund Spenser. The court also
commissioned works of art, music, and literature as a way to display its wealth and power.

Wealthy merchants, particularly those in London, also played a significant role in patronizing
the arts. They would commission paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art to decorate their
homes and show off their social status. Some merchants would also sponsor theatrical
productions, which became increasingly popular during the Elizabethan era.

 CONVENTION & ORIGINALITY:

Convention and originality were also important aspects of Elizabethan art and literature. While
many works were produced following established conventions, such as the use of sonnets or
the themes of courtly love in literature, there were also many writers and artists who sought to
break with convention and create works that were original and innovative. William
Shakespeare, for example, was known for his ability to take established themes and tropes and
turn them on their head, creating works of great originality and complexity.

Elizabethan England was a time of great artistic and cultural richness, with a flourishing of the
arts and patronage by the royal court and wealthy merchants. The period was characterized by
the influence of the Italian Renaissance, the importance of patronage, and the tension
between convention and originality in art and literature. These factors helped to create a

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unique and vibrant artistic and literary culture that continues to influence and inspire people
today.

3- THE SONNET: ORIGINS, FORM & DEVELOPMENT.

The sonnet was originally developed by the Italian poet Petrarch in the 14th century. His
sonnets were written in the Tuscan dialect and were composed of two parts: an octave (eight
lines) and a sestet (six lines).

The Petrarchan sonnet is characterized by the following core elements:

 It contains fourteen lines of poetry.

 The lines are divided into an eight-line subsection (called an octave) followed by a six-
line subsection (called a sestet).

 The octave follows a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA. This means the first, fourth, fifth,
and eighth lines all rhyme with one another. The second, third, sixth, and seventh lines
similarly rhyme with one another.

 The Crybin variant on the Petrarchan sonnet contains a different rhyme scheme for the
opening octave: ABBA CDDC.

 The sestet follows one of two rhyme schemes. The most common is a CDE CDE scheme
(where the ninth and twelfth, tenth and thirteenth, and eleventh and fourteenth lines
rhyme).

 The other sestet rhyme scheme is CDC CDC (where the ninth, eleventh, twelfth, and
fourteenth lines rhyme; and the tenth and thirteenth lines rhyme). It is sometimes
called the Sicilian sestet, named for the dialect used by Petrarch himself.

The subject matter of Petrarchan sonnets was often focused on unrequited love and the
idealization of a beloved, and they were written in a highly formal and stylized language.

In the 16th century, the sonnet was introduced to England, where it was popularized by poets
such as Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. These poets adapted the Italian
form to the English language and created the English or Shakespearean sonnet, which is now
the most widely used form of sonnet. The Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains
(four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza), with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD
EFEF GG. This form allowed for greater flexibility in the structure of the poem and the themes

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explored, and it became a popular form for exploring subjects such as love, beauty, and
mortality.

Over time, the sonnet continued to develop and evolve, with poets experimenting with
different structures, rhyme schemes, and subject matter. Some poets, such as John Donne and
George Herbert, introduced a more personal and introspective tone to the sonnet, while
others, such as William Wordsworth and John Keats, used the form to explore the beauty of
nature and the power of imagination.

While the sonnet has evolved over time, it remains a popular and versatile form of poetry.

4- THE ENGLISH SONNET.

The English sonnet, also known as the Shakespearean sonnet, is a 14-line poem with a rhyme
scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. It was popularized by William Shakespeare in the late 16th
century and has since become one of the most widely used forms of poetry.

The structure of the English sonnet consists of three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, and a final
couplet, or two-line stanza. The quatrains typically present a problem, question, or theme,
while the final couplet provides a resolution, conclusion, or twist. The iambic pentameter, with
its ten syllables per line, gives the poem a rhythm and a sense of musicality.

The English sonnet is known for its flexibility and its ability to explore a wide range of subjects,
including love, nature, politics, and philosophy. Shakespeare used the sonnet form to explore a
variety of themes, such as the beauty of his beloved, the fleeting nature of life, and the power
of poetry itself.

While the English sonnet has a strict rhyme scheme and structure, poets have found ways to
play with and subvert these conventions. For example, the final couplet can be used to subvert
or challenge the themes established in the quatrains, and the rhyme scheme can be used to
create internal rhymes or half-rhymes that add to the musicality of the poem.

5- SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS 1 TO 154: FORM, SEQUENCES, CONCEIT & IMAGERY

Shakespeare's sonnets are a collection of 154 poems written in the late 16th and early 17th
centuries. The sonnets are known for their complex themes, intricate language, and innovative
use of poetic form.

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  FORM:

The majority of Shakespeare's Sonnets are written in the English or Shakespearean sonnet
form, consisting of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, Sonnet 126
is written in six couplets, and Sonnet 99 is written in a quatrain followed by a couplet. Each
sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line.

 SEQUENCES:

The sonnets are divided into two main sequences, the first sequence consisting of sonnets 1-
126, and the second sequence consisting of sonnets 127-154. The first sequence is commonly
referred to as the Fair Youth sequence, and it is thought to be addressed to a young man who is
admired by the speaker. The second sequence, which is sometimes called the Dark Lady
sequence, is addressed to a woman who is characterized as having dark hair and a darker
complexion. The two sequences explore different themes and emotions, with the first
sequence focused on the idealization of the young man and the second sequence exploring a
more complex and often troubled relationship with the dark lady.

 CONCEIT:

Shakespeare's Sonnets make extensive use of conceit, or extended metaphor, to explore the
themes of love, beauty, and mortality. For example, in Sonnet 18, Shakespeare compares his
beloved to a summer's day, and in Sonnet 130, he uses irony and hyperbole to subvert
traditional poetic conventions about the idealization of beauty.

 IMAGERY:

Shakespeare's Sonnets make use of vivid and often surprising imagery to convey complex
emotions and ideas. For example, in Sonnet 73, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of autumn to
explore the aging process and the transience of life. In Sonnet 129, he uses animal imagery to
explore the darker side of desire and sexuality.

6- ANALYSIS OF SONNET # 56

Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said

Thy edge should blunter be than appetite,

Which but today by feeding is allayed,

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Tomorrow sharpened in his former might.

So, love, be thou, although today thou fill

Thy hungry eyes even till they wink with fullness,

Tomorrow see again, and do not kill

The spirit of love with a perpetual dullness.

Let this sad interim like the ocean be

Which parts the shore where two contracted new

Come daily to the banks, that when they see

Return of love, more blest may be the view;

Or call it winter, which, being full of care,

Makes summer's welcome thrice more wished, more rare.

 MEANING:

In this sonnet, Shakespeare is addressing the concept of love and how it can become dulled or
weakened over time. He implores love to renew its force, arguing that it should not become
blunter than appetite, which is sharpened by feeding.

Shakespeare personifies love as a force with an edge, much like a blade. He argues that love
should not lose its sharpness, and instead, it should be renewed and sharpened with each
passing day. He uses the metaphor of a cycle of hunger and feeding to illustrate this point,
saying that love should be fed today but not killed by perpetual dullness.

In the final quatrain, Shakespeare compares the ‘sad interim’ between moments of love to an
ocean that separates two lovers. He suggests that this separation can make the return of love
even more special and precious. He also compares this separation to winter, which is full of
care, but makes the arrival of summer all the more cherished.

 FORM:

Shakespeare's Sonnet 56 follows the traditional form of an English sonnet, consisting of three
quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The meter is

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iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line and a pattern of unstressed and stressed
syllables.

The first quatrain establishes the theme of the sonnet, with Shakespeare addressing love and
urging it to renew its force. The second quatrain expands on this theme, using a metaphor of
feeding and appetite to argue that love should not become blunted or dulled.

The third quatrain introduces a new metaphor, comparing the separation between two lovers
to an ocean or to winter. Shakespeare suggests that this separation can actually make the
return of love more precious and cherished. Finally, the couplet wraps up the sonnet,
emphasizing the importance of keeping love fresh and renewed.

The structure of the sonnet, with its clear progression of ideas from the initial problem to the
solution, underscores Shakespeare's skill in crafting a well-organized and persuasive argument.
The form also lends itself well to the use of metaphors, which Shakespeare employs to great
effect in this sonnet.

7- CONCLUSION

Overall, the sonnet and the English sonnet, in particular, remain an essential part of English
literary tradition, and Shakespeare's sonnets continue to be read and studied by scholars,
poets, and lovers of literature worldwide. The Elizabethan age, with its innovative spirit and
literary achievements, continues to influence and inspire writers to this day.

Together, they represent important contributions to the world of literature and culture,
showcasing the power of language and the enduring nature of human expression.

Personally, I would like to add that when reading a sonnet, it is important to pay attention to
the rhyme scheme and meter, as they are integral to the structure of the poem. In addition, the
language and imagery used in sonnets are often highly poetic and require careful attention to
detail and nuance. Many sonnets also explore complex emotions and ideas, so it can be helpful
to read them slowly and thoughtfully in order to fully appreciate their meaning. Reading some
of Shakespeare’s sonnets has been a rewarding and enriching experience, making me
appreciate poetry and feeling what the characters experience.

8- BIBLIOGRAPHY

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https://www.bl.uk/people/william-shakespeare

https://literaryyog.com/elizabethan-era/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-petrarchan-sonnet-learn-about-
petrarchan-sonnets-with-examples

https://www.britannica.com/art/sonnet

https://www.bl.uk/works/shakespeares-sonnets

http://english.fju.edu.tw/lctd/asp/works/74/study_3_6.htm

http://xahlee.org/wordy/lit/metaphysical_conceit.html

https://www.literaturehub.in/2020/06/imagery-in-skakespeares-sonnets.html

(10) Shakespeare's Sonnets: Crash Course Literature 304 - YouTube

(10) What is Iambic Pentameter? - YouTube