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Sonnets - 5/1/2000
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Sonnets - 5/1/2000 |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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Do we have enough desks in here??? This post is mostly a verbatim repeat of the November workshop - But my philosophy is - "Don't try to re-invent the wheel" or "Don't spin your wheels"... or... "A wheel in line saves nine"... Something like that - so I won't rewrite the whole thing....Anyway... "The Little Song" is the derivation of the word sonnet. I love writing these babies; they're by far my favorite format. Sonnets originated in Italy, progressing further with the unsurpassed influence of the English - more specifically that of Shakespeare. Although the mode of the twentieth century has been to deviate from standard formats, I remain pretty old-fashioned, I guess. I adamantly believe that you can't rightly break the rules unless you know what they are... Furthermore, breaking the rules effectively necessitates a thorough understanding of them. Ergo - I'm teaching you the the rules. I also follow them myself, by the way. I don't consider myself proficient enough to break them yet. (perhaps some day). All righty - Let's start with meter - the easy part.... A sonnet, properly written, is done in iambic pentameter. That means that every line will consist of five iambic feet. Each line of your poem will follow this rhythm.... Check out some of Balladeer's work - He's always got his meter intact... Skyfyre too - She must dream in iambic pentameter... :* Your theme is of ULTIMATE importance in a sonnet. You must present a conflict of sorts in your opening stanzas and a resolution in your closing ones. Think carefully of what you want to write about and how you want to develop your work before you begin writing. The use of imagery is another important consideration. A sonnet is a very compact piece, and as such is a great format for extended metaphors. Try to incorporate some simile, metaphor, or other types of imagery into your work. Now then - Let's get on to the format. Guess what - You've got a choice here. You can opt for any one of the following.... The original Italian/Petrarchan style sonnet. This format consists of an octet followed by a sestet. The conflict is presented in the octet and resolved in the sestet. This format allows you less conflict, but more "resolution" time, if you should need it.... The format is: The most popular English/Shakespearean sonnet. In this format the conflict is presented within three quatrains of verse, and resolved in a final couplet. The Shakespearean format is... The final, and less known format is Spenserian. This format is most similar to Shakespearean, as it incorporates three quatrains and a closing couplet. In either format, you'll need to develop your conflict in the quatrains and resolve it in the couplet. The Spenserian (you'll see some pantoum similarities too) format is... If you need to see some examples, I'll post a couple of my older sonnets here. Feel free to check 'em out. Better yet, read some of Mike's or David2's works. Then choose the style you like best, and dig in... All righty then - let's get started.. If I've forgotten anything - feel free to bug me with questions.... Hey - I thought I heard someone say there'd be no spitballs in this class!! |
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| © Copyright 2000 Nancy Ness - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Magic'SonNet A single star amongst infinity, As one lone byte within an astro-net, Its light the beacon of our galaxy ~ Its sovereignty our precious amulet. With solar arms' embrace about our world A frozen snow's transformed to diamond steads, And motley Marching crocuses unfurled Through snowy blankets cov'ring vernal beds, A sunny heart within the tempest's eye ~ Lest scattered showers portend inclemence, A glorious sun-drenched rainbow spans the sky. The Sun's our sentinel for sustenance. Regale that Magic'SonNet, hears my quest ~ How is the Sun now rising in the West? |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Words InDeed The essence of our spoken word's mere thought Of actions, when surmised are just intent. Interpretation from our doings lent; Words ineffectual are vowed for naught. Intrinsic trust's from inference ne'er wrought ~ Each overt deed derives impressions spent; Deficiencies mar aspirations meant ~ Verbiage percieved is often nary sought. Absent resolve's inadequate prepense; Avowed intent once covenant's achieved, Reality's defined by compeer's heed. All credibility for promise hence Ambitions met - then credence is conceived; Enacted words are truly Words InDeed. |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
Call me thicko but I had to read your sonnets two or three times out loud to properly understand them*) Wow! They are quite something... How on earth am I going to write a sonnet properly and correctly plus with a theme and resolution? I don't know. But I'll try....just give me a little time! Love and hugs, Lizzie  "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight." |
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wonderous Member
since 2000-02-29
Posts 75 |
questions from a complete novice: 1 what is the iambic pentamer? 2 da-DUM -is that supposed to mean a two syllabic word with emphasis on the last syllable? 3 the a-b (i assume the a rhymes with a and b with b) is that supposed to be the last word of each line? |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Yes - and Yes......  |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
In that order... |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Bumping for Salooma... |
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Salooma Senior Member
since 2000-01-28
Posts 781 |
Thanks a bunch Nan....I wrote my first one finally. Please let me know what you think and if I did it right. Thanks Sonnet #1 Do my heated words strike your heart as vile? Or are they the truth you wish not to bare? Have they lit the flame of rage in beguile? And will they make your veins urge to reach air? Do they cause your blood to stir and mangle? Or do they feed your mind, tainted madness? Have they turned unsaid words into tangle? And brought your soul to heavenly sadness? All I meant to tell you is my story. Never did I mean to say more or less. I do not intend to be too gory. Life is already too much of a mess. Sorry for the pain and hurt caused dear saint. Sorry for all the troubles you have gained. [This message has been edited by Ron (06-25-2011 10:20 AM).] |
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