sonnets + futility

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Sonnets

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  • 1. Sonnets

2. What is it? is a poetic form which originated in Italy derives from the Italian word sonetto, meaning "little song it signified a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure Two main forms of sonnets are Petrarchan sonnet and the English sonnet. best-known sonnet writer is William Shakespeare, who wrote 154 of them. 3. Petrarchan Sonnet Also known as an Italian sonnet Written in the rhythm of iambic pentameter Composed of 2 main sections an octave (an eight- line unit) and a sestet (a six-line unit). Octave has a rhyming pattern of a b b a a b b a and the sestet rhymes c d e c d e (see next slide) Octave contains two quatrains and the sestet consists of two tercets. Break at the end is called a volta indicates turning point or a different idea in the thought of the poem 4. Petrarchan Sonnet A B B A A B B A C D E C D E Volta Octave Sestet First Quatrain Second Quatrai n First Tercet Secon d Tercet 5. On His Blindness by John Milton When I consider how my light is spent (A) Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, (B) And that one talent which is death to hide, (B) Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent (A)To serve therewith my Maker, and present (A) My true account, lest he returning chide; (B) "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" (B) I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent (A)That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need (C) Either man's work or his own gifts; who best (D) Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state (E)Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed (C) And post o'er land and ocean without rest; (D) They also serve who only stand and wait." (E) 6. Shakespearean Sonnet Also known as an English Sonnet consists of fourteen lines written in iambic pentameter a pattern of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable repeated five times. The rhyme scheme in a Shakespearean sonnet is a- b-a-b (First Quatrain), c-d-c-d (Second Quatrain), e-f-e-f (Third Quatrain), g-g; the last two lines are a rhyming couplet The volta is at the end of the third quatrain The rhyming couplet is often a summary of the poems idea but with a subtle change in thought. 7. Futility by Wilfred Owen The poem concentrates on the meaning of existence and the futility (pointlessness) of war and the inevitability of death Narrator is having an existential crisis: What is the point of being born if you are just going to die a few years later? The anonymity of the poem allows it to be universal; it can be describing any soldier This poem also serves as an elegy (song, poem or speech that expresses grief for one who is dead; usually in a melancholy tone) 8. Futility