210 Sonnets What is a sonnet A sonnet

2/10 Sonnets

What is a sonnet? • A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem in iambic pentameter. • What is iambic pentameter? It is a line of ten syllables, with five unstressed syllables alternating with stressed syllables – dee DUM dee DUM – “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks”

History of Sonnets • Sonnets originated in the 12 th century • Became popular in Shakespeare’s time • Usually about LOVE, though today’s sonnets will sometimes focus on other topics

Rhyming pattern of the sonnet • The Shakespearean sonnet has three quatrains followed by a couplet, the scheme being: abab cdcd efef gg. • The sonnet does NOT divide the quatrains and couplets

First crossed by a gypsy, now by a dang witch “Close the book, ring the bell, light the candle. ” (a) The witch’s words resounded in my ears. (b) My problems now were more than I could handle (a) and so I hoped she’d vanquish all my fears. (b) She stared at me across the darkened room (c) and then commanded me that I must stay (d) until my wish was granted. Then a broom (c) she grabbed, and out the door she flew away! (d) The magic lay in me, the hag had said. (e) I only had to wish with all my might. (f) But with my kind of luck, I might be dead (e) before I’d get what I had wished that night. (f) I sit here still; she’s left me with a curse! (g) No health care yet, and now my back is worse! (g)