Maggio English 10H Final

How many lines are in a Shakespearean Sonnet?

14 lines

How many syllables per line in a Shakespearean Sonnet?

10 syllables (occasionally 11, if the pattern is broken)

What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean Sonnet?

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

What is a quatrain?

A group of four lines in a Shakespearean sonnet

How many quatrains are in a Shakespearean sonnet?

Three

What is a “volta”?

The turning point in a Shakespearean sonnet (typically found between lines 8 and 9 OR before the couplet

What is the “couplet” in a Shakespearean sonnet?

A pair of rhyming lines, typically offering Shakespeares “solution” or “mic drop” commentary

What is “iambic pentameter”?

A type of metric line (beat of the poem) consisting of 10 syllables per line, or 5 “iambs” or “metric feet”

What is an “iamb” or “metric foot”?

A pair of syllables, with the first being unstressed and the second being stressed

Iambic pentameter is similar to the beat of what?

Heartbeat!

How many iambs are in each line of a Shakespearean sonnet?

Five

What are some typical themes of Shakespearean sonnets?

Love, conflict, beauty, time, aging, and jealousy

We discussed two of Shakespeare’s muses. Who were they?

The Fair Youth and the Dark Lady

Which famous theatre is Shakespeare credited with helping to create?

The Globe Theatre

Who was the muse in Sonnet 12?

The Fair Youth

What is the main theme(s) of Sonnet 12?

Aging is inevitable and a terrible thing, overall. However, one can escape the ravages of time by having children.

Imagery

Creating vivid mental pictures through descriptive language.

Symbolism

Using objects or ideas to represent deeper meanings.

Alliteration

repeating opening sounds at the start of a series of successive words

Juxtaposition

contrast—comparing dark with light, heroes with villains, night with day, beauty with cruelty.

Allusion

where the poet makes an indirect reference to something outside of the poem, whether that’s a real person, a well-known mythological cycle, or a struggle that’s happening in the world we know.

What does “sable” mean?

Dark brown or black

What does “scythe” mean?

A curved blade

What does “bier” mean?

A mobile frame or table for dead bodies

What is Shakespeare’s solution to aging?

Having children

What does “girded” mean?

Gathered up; encircled

Where is the “volta”?

Between lines 8 and 9

Who was the muse in Sonnet 29?

The Fair Youth

What is the main theme of Sonnet 19?

The transformative power of love; love is more valuable, and more powerful, than wealth, riches, or status.

What does “lark” mean?

A type of bird

What does “bootless” mean?

Useless

What does “beweep” mean?

To cry, to weep

What does “sullen” mean?

Sulky, gloomy

How does the speaker feel less isolated?

He thinks about the Fair Youth and the love they share

Metaphor

one of the most used poetic devices, both in literature and in day to day speech. It presents one thing as another completely different thing so as to draw a powerful comparison of images.

Personification

a poetic device that gives a non-human entity—whether that’s an animal, a plant, or a cantankerous dancing candlestick—human characteristics, actions, and feelings.

Simile

comparing two unlike things, using “like” or “as”

Soliloquy

a character's speech, directed to the audience, that is not supposed to be heard by other characters on stage; often discusses internal conflict and emotion

Macbeth

The tragic protagonist; his ambition drives him to murder and tyranny.

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth’s wife; ambitious and manipulative, later overwhelmed by guilt.

Banquo

Macbeth’s friend and a noble general; the witches predict his descendants will be kings.

King Duncan

The good King of Scotland, murdered by Macbeth.

Malcolm

Duncan’s son; flees after his father’s death and later leads the army against Macbeth.

Donalbain

Duncan’s other son; also flees for safety.

Macduff

A Scottish nobleman who opposes Macbeth and ultimately kills him.

Fleance

Banquo’s son, targeted by Macbeth due to the witches’ prophecy.

The Three Witches (Weird Sisters)

Mysterious figures who prophesize Macbeth’s rise and fall.

Ross

A thane (nobleman) who brings news throughout the play.

Murderers

Hired by Macbeth to kill Banquo and Fleance.

Apparitions

Supernatural figures conjured by the witches to deliver cryptic prophecies to Macbeth.