Sonnet 12 by Shakespeare discussion

 

1.  If you haven't done so yet, please read this short, good document that provides important background on the sonnet:

Sonnet definition and history-1.pdfDownload Sonnet definition and history-1.pdf

2.  It's important to know that almost all sonnets are 14 lines long, and they break down into 2 different kinds of sonnets (for the most part):  The Petrarchan and the Shakespearean sonnet model.  Almost all sonnets have a volta.  It's usually at the start of line 9.  And all sonnets end with a couplet (back-to-back lines that rhyme).  

3.  Make sure to read up on Shakespeare and jot down key facts about him and his writing, especially anything you can find about his sonnets. 

4. Then, please read Sonnet 12 by William Shakespeare:  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/90067/sonnet-12-when-i-do-count-the-clock-that-tells-the-time-578cfa272532bLinks to an external site.

Shakespeare is extremely hard to understand, and this sonnet is no exception, even though it is often the one that teachers use to introduce sonnets to their students.  So please read the sonnet over a few times.  Be ready to stumble over a lot of language that you don't understand.  Look up words you don't know.  Slow down and try to make sense of what you are reading!

5.  When you've done that, make sure to read the two documents below this line.  They prepare you for trying to scan two lines of Shakespeare's sonnet on your own!  You've already seen the first document, but not the second.  The doc on Meter is new to you.

English 235 Understanding scansion 2023-1.docxDownload English 235 Understanding scansion 2023-1.docx

English 235 Meter in poetry june 2022-3.docxDownload English 235 Meter in poetry june 2022-3.docx

6.  Last of all, please answer the study questions from the document below.  Only respond to Sonnet 12 at this point:

English 235 Shakespeare sonnet 12 and 29 homework.docxDownload English 235 Shakespeare sonnet 12 and 29 homework.docx

You are assigned Lines 9 and 10 when asked in the questions