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We MAY be doing Sonnets again?
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We MAY be doing Sonnets again? |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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We just have to have our Sonnet fix occasionally, don't we? We had an interesting request for them this month (from kayjay), so let's see what we can come up with. First, let's go over the format of the formal sonnet. Then we can go into the variations brought to us by kayjay. This is again taken from a previous workshop... "The Little Song" is the derivation of the word sonnet. I love writing sonnets in any format...  They're by far my favorite. 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 first... Furthermore, breaking the rules effectively necessitates a thorough understanding of them. Ergo - I'm showing 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.... da-DUM/da-DUM/da-DUM/da-DUM/da-DUM Check out some of Balladeer's work - He's always got his meter intact... Elizabeth Santos 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 comes first. This format consists of an octet (8 lines of verse) followed by a sestet (six lines). 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.... Although some variation can be found in the final sested, the standard format is: a-b-b-a-a-b-b-a/c-d-e-c-d-e The most popular English/Shakespearean sonnet is next. In this format the conflict is presented within three quatrains (three stanzas of four lines each) of verse, and resolved in a final couplet (two lines). The Shakespearean format is... a-b-a-b/c-d-c-d/e-f-e-f/g-g 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 any 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... a-b-a-b/b-c-b-c/c-d-c-d/e-e My most recent meager morsel is a Petrarchan/Italian sonnet, A Willow'Sonnet - which will be included in our new Reflections anthology. quote: Now - For kayjay's request - The deviations (I'm cringing)...  I'll copy his request here - and hope that he'll add some more insight?? quote: Yikes... I'm not sure if I can do this, Ken... It MAY make me schizo.. Note - ASSONANCE = The repetition of identical or similar vowel sounds, especially in stressed syllables, with changes in the intervening consonants, as in the phrase tilting at windmills. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Yikes! |
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fayth Junior Member
since 2003-05-03
Posts 19 |
hello, I'm the one who doesn't know anything about poetry, cept rhyming, I've been around here since I registered-and before!! You're all so great, I tried to start class from the begining but think maybe I should start now and maybe you will repeat the old lessons?please? Thanks ever so for a great forum. kansaa |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ummmmmm, 'scuse me, Teacher ... I've been real sick and if I wasn't ... I think my doctor said I probably would be. (He said not to show my little ASSONANCE in the classroom until I get all better !) He did !! Honest, he did !! Ask Doc ! He did ! I promise ! ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Uhm....I don't get it!!!!  I'll have to put this one under my pillow and hope it will sink in. Bridgette "Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again. To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
sigh. Iambic pentameter, huh? Hmmm. Okay. I will try this again.  I must be a masochist. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Serenity, if you're in, then I'll just have to join you on the masochism table right over there.... flay it on! |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Hi Teacher, Is it all right if I come back to school? I might be able to try a sonnet. But I must warn you that I am pretty old-fashioned too  It'll probably rhyme and have all those smelly feet thingies too.Pete |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
I'm in - tried the Shakespearean once - can do it again - thank you |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
I cannot believe that I am actually considering this! A sonnet, with meter and rhyme? My god, I'll probably have an anuerism or something.  Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I am so good at BEING da DUMB one somedays, perhaps it's time to write it out? LOL, thanks for the info. Interestingly (or not), I just said to a friend last week that I'd never ever attempted a sonnet, and when she said 'go for it' I thought she was just talking about lawn pests.  Now I want to put a sonnet under my bonnet.  |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
ROTFL, I just read the other replies, and Marge???? you have me on the floor with yours.(assonance!) |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
MidniteSun~ Now, now ... if you go getting on the floor with my assonance you'll have the WHOLE forum site talking !  AND ... we'll get kicked out of class too !  Teacher ... did ya' get the note from my Doctor ? DOCTOR .... where are you ? ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Hi Nan....I mentioned that I want to join the party here hehe...so here I am... I love sonnets and I would love to learn how to write them. But as Karilea said... "Yikes!" Is there a time limit to do this? I'm asking becase it may take me a while lol. Maree  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey Maree...Nan gives us a month for assignments, give or take a few days each side of each month... so, yeah. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
ahhhhh ok, hmmm not sure that's long enough....kidding...hehe...I think. Thanks Karilea.  |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
A sonnet I've learned to write, but beltane can't figure it out what that means.Marge, get your assonance back in class!!! No sneaking out this month. Go write a sonnet in meter and rhyme And don't dare skip class my lady this time Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Dear Teach, Please excuse Marge, you see, what I actually said was that she should not need "assistance". ( Darn these computer gizmos anyways, seems as though they're always mis-interpreting things ). Any-hoot, I look forward to another fun filled, creative month. Doc |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
grumble. I wrote one. The old fashioned way too--I used PAPER!!! Good thing too. I hated it so much, I no longer have that attempt--but? I do have plenty of ammo for spitballs. OH...heh, heh?  Sorry, Doc, my aim is off...(It's been awhile, folks...I'm much better at quarter bounce! )Back to the drawing board.And?thpppfffffffttt! NAN??? so sorry!(serenity ducks and runs...) |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Old fashioned is good - using real paper is really good...  Margie is NOT excused... NOPE - We just got her back - We're not letting her slip out on us...  |
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Yitzy Junior Member
since 2003-05-12
Posts 30 |
There are only nine syllables in your first line, nan. Is this excusable in Sonnets at times? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Yitzy, count again. I count 10. |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
I'm late to school as a rule and often I dont' get it I got the word from a little bird that MAYbe I'd better hit it! An acrostic sonnet from off my bonnet is what I've ordered up I'd best comply, at least reply Lest I get no sup. Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Okay ! They way I see it ... there are ONLY 14 1/2 days left for this assignment. Now IF I were going to do one ... it would take me AT LEAST 349 hours ... and there's ONLY 347 hours left .... sooooooooooooo, my doctor has suggested that I take an extended R&R !AND with what he charges ... I think I'd do well to take his advice~ Any support to my plight ????? Awwwwwwww, come on, Teach ... give a kid a break already ! You simply show no mercy ! Pretty pweeeeeeeeze ??? (I've got apple seeds drying on the windowsill) Hint, Hint ! Later kids ..... (muuuuuccchhh later)~ Ya'll have fun now, ya' heah ??? *Huglets* from the 'sick' bed~ ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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aran Junior Member
since 2003-05-18
Posts 34 |
i've written a couple sonnets. It's an interesting form, but it's time is passed power to free-verse! |
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