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The Sonnet (11/1/99-11/15/99)
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The Sonnet (11/1/99-11/15/99) |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA 
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The Little Song is the derivation of the word sonnet. I find sonnets it to be the most fun format to work with, and 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, my philosophy remains 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 soon).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. Refer back to my villanelle thread for specifics. Each line of your poem will follow this rhythm.... 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. Check back to my pantoum thread for more specifics on that. 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. Actually, I've written several sonnets, but I haven't yet done one in the Spenserian mode. That'll be my plan on this one. (Hey - this workshop is making me write!!.. This format is more 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've posted several sonnets here. Feel free to check 'em out. 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 - Geesh this class is quiet - It must be first period - You're all still sleeping... - or is that me??[This message has been edited by Nan (edited 11-02-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Nancy Ness - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
Good morning, Nan. Sorry I was late to class. As you supposed, I was sleeping. My question: Where do I find the samples you mention. I need a road map to get started. Thanks. Ohme |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
LOL - I can see I'm in trouble already - did you bring a note from home? Click HERE then...... |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
Note from home says; Ohme retired only one month ago. Sleeps late to protest 39 years of having to be at work by 6:00am and beeper going off at midnight! LOL Read the lesson, did the homework. Read all the examples. Now have impression that conflict does not have to be anything controversial or even unplesant. Any set of circumstances that permit a conclusion, perhaps even an obvious one, is acceptable. If this assumption is correct I am ready to dive in for first effort. |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Spenserian -- never heard of it! Sounds like a challenge, and I'll bet it sings, too! No promises, but I think I might just try that one too Nan -- can't let you have ALL the fun!  --Kess |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
*ducking head* sorry I'm late...it took me longer than expected to get out from under neath the coffee table. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Yeah right... I know you were sidetracked... Sleeping in late is not a valid excuse in your case - and you weren't "under" any coffee table either.... |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Ok...I am here..."catching my breath." I know I am late teach...*handing Nan my note* I was wondering if the trouble makers from last class were going to be here again? I'm not looking forward to spit balls in my hair.....lol. Oh yeah....this is for you..*handing Nan an apple* |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Sorry Nan, I know I'm late, but I have a good excuse, I was packing for my educational trip I'll try to remember to write something while I'm there. May be very inspired...LOL, may have to post it on adult though...giggles. Actually I printed off your explanation to take along, promise to have something when I get back. ------------------ Alis volat propriis |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Some guys told me this class was to convene at midnight! Geez... I can't believe I believed them! LOL... I'm here and everybody else is up and gone! You'd think I would've known it was a hoax. Darn Justin twins at it again. Unbelievable! At least I showed up, though, huh? |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Cough, cough...snif, snif...I'm here, almost recovered from some weird Dutch virus. Don't know if it's this virus doing something to my brain or if I just don't understand anything 'bout a sonnet. And uhh....hey guys, Nan said it somewhere ! Be gently on the new ones ! Wonder how long I can use that for an excuse ? ; ) |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
What about line breaks and stanzas, you ask?? Honestly, I've never seen any hard and fast rules about this issue - I've been criticized for doing it both ways. If I keep them together, the critique is that it's more difficult to read - If I break them apart, the critique is that the poem loses its "compact" character. I can't win!!... Make your own choices on this issue, guys. Also, do some commenting on each other's work. Then I'll do the same... |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Nan...I've written sonnets in all the listed styles and structures. As for the Spensarian, the conflicts of each quatrain generally revolve around a central question, each quatrain raising questions on different aspects of the overall query, summed up and answered in the couplet. Hence, the most common themes are Love, Death, and Life...guess there have always been questions about these topics, not to mention multiple sides to each one. Alicat lending a helping paw. |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Nan.....Nan....where are you ! We need a little help here in the classroom. : ) *G*, I hope I didn't give you my Dutch virus ! ; ) |
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Jennifer Marie O'Neil Junior Member
since 1999-11-01
Posts 48port charlotte fl/bklyn ny |
I have just posted my first attempt at a sonnet in open 3 - I think my meter is ok - i had a problem with the line: To again be under your sweet spells but over all i enjoyed writting it ------------------ Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of faith is to see what we believe. AUGUSTINE |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Sorry so late with my homework, Nan. Had to move to a different state. Dock my grade if you must. ------------------ Jim "If I rest, I rust." -Martin Luther |
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