Overview
This lecture introduces Shakespeare's sonnets, their historical context, structure, and major themes, focusing on three famous sonnets: 18, 116, and 130.
The Sonnet Form and Shakespearean Style
- A sonnet is a 14-line poem, often structured with a specific rhyme scheme and meter.
- The Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains and a final rhymed couplet (rhyme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
- Shakespearean sonnets use iambic pentameter: five iambs (unstressed/stressed pairs) per line (10 syllables total).
- The form is catchy in English, influencing poetry and even pop songs.
History and Publication of Shakespeare’s Sonnets
- Sonnet form originated in 13th-century Italy; Petrarch was an early master with a different structure than Shakespeare’s.
- English sonnet craze peaked in the 16th century, inspiring Shakespeare.
- Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, likely in the 1590s–early 1600s; their order and intended audience are unknown.
- The 1609 collection was published by Thomas Thorpe and dedicated to "Mr. WH," whose identity is still debated.
- Sonnets were not initially popular; appreciation grew centuries later.
Major Themes and Controversies
- The first 17 sonnets urge a young man to marry and have children; sonnets 18–126 also address a young man, with few gendered pronouns.
- Scholars debate the nature of relationships in the sonnets, especially possible homoerotic themes.
- Sonnets 127–154 address the "dark lady," with more conflicted and less idealized love.
- Biographical interpretations are uncertain due to scant historical evidence.
Analysis of Three Key Sonnets
- Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?"): Uses extended metaphor to argue poetry immortalizes the beloved’s beauty beyond nature's changes.
- Sonnet 116 ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds"): Explores enduring love, emphasizing that true love transcends time and change.
- Sonnet 130 ("My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun"): Parodies conventional romantic poetry; values honest, realistic love over exaggerated comparisons.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Sonnet — a 14-line poem with a set rhyme scheme and meter.
- Quatrain — a stanza of four lines.
- Couplet — two successive lines, typically rhymed.
- Iambic Pentameter — a line of five iambs (unstressed/stressed syllables).
- Petrarchan Sonnet — an earlier sonnet form from Italy, different from Shakespeare's structure.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Sonnets 18, 116, and 130 in the text.
- Consider how structure and language shape sonnet themes.
- Prepare to discuss other sonnets by Shakespeare in class.