Sonnet History and Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What does the poet in Wendy Cope's sonnet express about their perception of aging?

They feel old as soon as they see themselves.

They do not experience any physical limitations.

Their love for someone helps them accept their age. (correct)

They believe they are still young despite physical reminders. (correct)

In the sonnet by Margaret Menamin, what is the psychiatrist's initial reaction to the speaker's confession?

They recommend stopping the behavior immediately.

They offer solutions for managing commitment.

They identify it as a serious addiction.

They view it as a normal expression of desire. (correct)

What physical reminders of aging does the speaker mention in Cope's sonnet?

Wrinkles and gray hair.

Mild to moderate pain. (correct)

Loss of vision and hearing.

Knees and arthritic fingers. (correct)

What is a key theme presented in both poems?

The complexity of human relationships. Signup and view all the answers

In which way does the psychiatrist's attitude reflect societal views on sexuality?

They neutralize the speaker's concerns as trivial. Signup and view all the answers

How does the speaker in Cope's sonnet internally cope with feelings of aging?

By relying on the support from a loved one. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Good grief, man, you’ve got to get hold of yourself' suggest about the psychiatrist's perspective?

They recognize a need for the speaker to simplify their life. Signup and view all the answers

Which sentiment is emphasized in Shakespeare's Sonnet 18?

The permanence of love. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary components of the assignments for the literature school exam?

Study questions and Webquest Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum bonus score a student can earn from the Webquest?

4 points Signup and view all the answers

Which poets are mentioned as part of the sonnet studies?

Shakespeare, Spenser, and Donne Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'sonnet' originate from?

A Provençal word meaning little song Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized about memorizing sonnets for the school exam?

Students need to analyze sonnets, not memorize them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the first literature school exam (SE1)?

The history, development, form, and contents of sonnets Signup and view all the answers

In which century did the term 'sonnet' come to signify a poem of fourteen lines?

13th century Signup and view all the answers

What must students submit to received bonus points from the Webquest?

Their answers uploaded on Magister.me before the deadline Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sonnet is characterized by a specific rhyme scheme and structure as seen in Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare?

Shakespearean Signup and view all the answers

What poetic device is primarily used in Sonnet 130 to convey the narrator’s view of beauty?

Metaphor Signup and view all the answers

In Sonnet 75 by Edmund Spenser, what does the narrator attempt to do regarding 'she'?

Immortalize her through writing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of 'Death, be not proud' by John Donne?

The futility of pride Signup and view all the answers

Which two words in Sonnet 130 mark the volta, indicating a shift in tone or perspective?

But, Yet Signup and view all the answers

Which line in 'Ozymandias' by Percy B. Shelley most effectively illustrates the theme of the transience of power?

Nothing beside remains Signup and view all the answers

Which poetic device is commonly employed in Sonnet 18 to enhance the beauty of its imagery?

Simile Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase ‘eternal summer’ in Sonnet 18 refer to?

Immortal beauty Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes metaphysical poetry as seen in John Donne's works?

The use of conceits and complex metaphors Signup and view all the answers

What does the title 'Ozymandias' refer to?

A powerful Egyptian pharaoh Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of apostrophe used in Donne's poems?

Speaking to an absent person as if they were present Signup and view all the answers

In Barrett Browning's 'Sonnets from the Portuguese', what is one explanation for the title?

It symbolizes the poet's heritage and cultural background. Signup and view all the answers

Which themes are present in the poem 'Ozymandias' by Percy B. Shelley?

The power and consequence of political ambition Signup and view all the answers

What occasion prompted Emma Lazarus to write a poem about a statue?

A fundraising effort for the pedestal of the statue Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Edna St. Vincent Millay's 'Love is Not All' represents modern poetry?

Exploration of love in a pragmatic context Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes John Donne’s Holy Sonnet 17?

The dramatic exploration of death and love Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a metaphor from a simile?

Metaphors imply a hidden comparison. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of an ode in literature?

To praise individuals or concepts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes onomatopoeia?

Words that imitate the sounds they represent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining feature of pentameter in poetry?

It consists of five metrical feet. Signup and view all the answers

Which example demonstrates personification?

Time flies when you are having fun. Signup and view all the answers

What does anaphora refer to in literary writing?

The repetition of phrases at the beginning of verses. Signup and view all the answers

In which type of poem would you most likely find a focus on nature or an abstract idea?

An ode. Signup and view all the answers

What is the common meter of the most frequently used pentameter in English literature?

Iambic. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sonnet History

The word "sonnet" derives from the Provençal word "sonet" and the Italian word "sonetto," both meaning "little song."
Sonnets typically consist of fourteen lines with a strict rhyme scheme and logical structure.
The sonnet's conventions have evolved through its history.

William Shakespeare

Sonnet 18 uses a Shakespearean sonnet structure (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
It is a love poem praising the beloved's beauty and suggesting that it is eternal.
Sonnet 130 uses a Shakespearean sonnet structure (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
Instead of idealizing, Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 acknowledges his beloved's imperfections and expresses his love for her regardless.

Edmund Spenser

Sonnet 75 uses a Spenserian sonnet structure (ABAB BCBC CDCD EE).
The poem explores the limitations of language and the narrator's attempt to immortalize his love through poetry.

John Donne

Sonnet 10 uses a Shakespearean sonnet structure (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG).
Donne's work explores the power of love beyond death.

Percy B. Shelley

Ozymandias is a sonnet that reflects on the theme of power and decay with an Italian sonnet structure (ABBAABBA CDECDE).
The poem critiques the fleeting nature of human empires and the inevitable erosion of power over times.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43 is part of a sonnet sequence called "Sonnets from the Portuguese."
One possible explanation is that she wrote the poems as a love letter to her future husband, Robert Browning.

Emma Lazarus

The "old" Colossus in Emma Lazarus's poem would have been the Colossus of Rhodes, an ancient statue that stood in the harbor of Rhodes.
Lazarus wrote "The New Colossus" to celebrate the newly constructed Statue of Liberty.

Edna St Vincent Millay

Edna St Vincent Millay won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923.
Her sonnet "Love is Not All," presents a modern perspective on love within a traditional sonnet form (ABBAABBA CDCDCD).

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Description

Explore the intricate history and structure of sonnets, focusing on renowned poets such as William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, and John Donne. This quiz covers specific sonnets, their forms, and their themes. Test your knowledge of poetic conventions and the evolution of sonnet writing through the ages.