Shakespearean Shakespearean SonnetsSonnets

and iambic pentameterand iambic pentameter

The BasicsThe Basics

► StanzaStanza Equal to a paragraph in prose writingEqual to a paragraph in prose writing

► LineLine Equal to a sentence in prose writingEqual to a sentence in prose writing

► The number of lines in a stanza could include:The number of lines in a stanza could include: Couplet (2)Couplet (2) Quatrain (4)Quatrain (4) Sestet (6)Sestet (6) Octave (8)Octave (8)

► A Shakespearean Sonnet is 14 lines long:A Shakespearean Sonnet is 14 lines long: 3 Quatrains + 1 Couplet3 Quatrains + 1 Couplet

Rhyme SchemeRhyme Scheme

Quatrain 1- ABABQuatrain 1- ABAB

Quatrain 2- CDCDQuatrain 2- CDCD

Quatrain 3- EFEFQuatrain 3- EFEF

Couplet- GGCouplet- GG

►All of the lines are end rhymeAll of the lines are end rhyme►The couplet consists of a turn or shift The couplet consists of a turn or shift

in idea from the quatrainsin idea from the quatrains

Meter and FeetMeter and Feet

►MeterMeter The rhythmic structure of a poemThe rhythmic structure of a poem Defined by the number of feet in a lineDefined by the number of feet in a line

►Foot/FeetFoot/Feet The basic unit, building block, which helps The basic unit, building block, which helps

create the rhythmic structure of a poemcreate the rhythmic structure of a poem Every pair (2) of syllables in a line of Every pair (2) of syllables in a line of

poetry is a footpoetry is a foot The type of foot depends on the stressed The type of foot depends on the stressed

and unstressed accents of the syllablesand unstressed accents of the syllables

Examples of Feet in a LineExamples of Feet in a Line

1 2 3 4 51 2 3 4 5

I knowI know/ / the waythe way/ / to goto go/ / isis oo//verver therethere//

I walkedI walked/ / acrossacross/ / the worldthe world/ / to kissto kiss/ / your handyour hand//

In Shakespearean sonnets, there are 5 feet in a In Shakespearean sonnets, there are 5 feet in a lineline

Iambic FeetIambic Feet

► In Shakespearean sonnets, the type of feet are In Shakespearean sonnets, the type of feet are iambsiambs

► Iambic feet are defined as one unstressed Iambic feet are defined as one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllablesyllable followed by a stressed syllable

► Iambic feet are represented with these Iambic feet are represented with these markings:markings:

U /U /Unstressed StressedUnstressed Stressed

*Note: there are other types of feet which include*Note: there are other types of feet which include(/ U) , ( / /), and (U U)(/ U) , ( / /), and (U U)

Examples of Iambic FeetExamples of Iambic Feet

U / U / U / U / U /U / U / U / U / U /

I knowI know/ / the waythe way/ / to goto go/ / isis oo//verver therethere//

U / U / U / U / U /U / U / U / U / U /I walkedI walked/ / acrossacross/ / the worldthe world/ / to kissto kiss/ / your handyour hand//

In Shakespearean sonnets, the feet are iambic In Shakespearean sonnets, the feet are iambic feetfeet

Iambic PentameterIambic Pentameter

►Shakespearean sonnets are written in Shakespearean sonnets are written in iambic pentameteriambic pentameter

► Iambic pentameter has a “da dum da Iambic pentameter has a “da dum da dum” rhythm and flowdum” rhythm and flow

►This is why Shakespeare’s poetry This is why Shakespeare’s poetry sounds so lovelysounds so lovely

►Believe it or not, it is our natural Believe it or not, it is our natural speaking pattern (but try writing in it!)speaking pattern (but try writing in it!)

How do we get iambic How do we get iambic pentameter?pentameter?

► If the rhythmic structure of the poem is If the rhythmic structure of the poem is determined by the meter,determined by the meter,

►And meter is defined by number of feet,And meter is defined by number of feet,►And feet are defined by type of And feet are defined by type of

syllables in the foot, then in syllables in the foot, then in Shakespearean sonnets there are…Shakespearean sonnets there are… 5 (penta) feet in each line5 (penta) feet in each line The 5 feet are iambic feet (The 5 feet are iambic feet (U /U /))

►Therefore, we have iambic pentameterTherefore, we have iambic pentameter

Try to mark the iambic pentameter on these Try to mark the iambic pentameter on these famous Shakespearean lines:famous Shakespearean lines:

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s dayShall I compare thee to a summer’s day

So foul and fair a day I have not seenSo foul and fair a day I have not seen

But soft, what light through yonder window But soft, what light through yonder window breaksbreaks