Pre-1900s anthology: Love through the ages

When was Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” written?

1609

What rhyme scheme does Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” use?

ABAB - regular alternating scheme / ends in a rhyming couplet (Volta)

What meter is Shakespeare's “Sonnet 116” written in?

Iambic pentameter

What form did Shakespeare use for “Sonnet 116” ?

Shakespearean sonnet - 3 quatrains

What method does Shakespeare use in the opening line of “Sonnet 116” ?

Trochaic substitution - emphasises it’s meaning

What are the main themes in Donne’s “The Flea” ?

Desire + sex

What is the form of Donne’s “The Flea” ?

Metaphysical poetry

What meters are used in Donne’s “The Flea” ?

Iambic tetrameter + iambic pentameter (metrical alternation)

What is the structure of Donne’s “The Flea” ?

Rhyming couplets + one triplet at the end of each stanza (continuous repetition of 3s)

What is the context behind Donne’s “The Flea” ?

Donne was originally Catholic but later converted + became an Anglican priest (position of power)

What meter was Lovelace’s “The Scrutiny” written in?

Ballad meter (iambic trimeter + tetrameter alternated)

What form is used in Lovelace’s “The Scrutiny” ?

Pastoral poetry / Cavalier poetry / monologue

What is the context behind Lovelace’s “The Scrutiny” ?

Imprisoned due to being a Royalist + popular in court

What meter is used in Wilmot’s “A Song Absent from Thee” ?

Iambic pentameter

What is the form / structure in Wilmot’s “A Song Absent from Thee” ?

Restoration poetry / structure

What rhyme scheme is used in Wilmot’s “A Song Absent from Thee” ?

Half rhymes (hopeful attempts that end in failure)

What is the context behind Wilmot’s “A Song Absent from Thee” ?

Family was loyal to the monarchy + he was known as a satirist

What meter is used in Blake’s “The Garden of Love” ?

Anapestic trimeter - aside from 2nd line in 2nd stanza where every syllable is stressed

How is Blake’s “The Garden of Love” structured?

Controlled structure - 3 stanzas + 4 lines each

What rhyme scheme is used in Blake’s “The Garden of Love” ?

ABCB rhyme scheme (unbounded ballad quatrain)

What is the context behind Blake’s “The Garden of Love” ?

Blake disagreed with organised religion + was a famous romantic poet

What themes are in Blake’s “The Garden of Love” ?

Freedom, barriers + religion

What meter is used in Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty” ?

Iambic tetrameter - aside from 4th line where metrical inversion is used (highlights how perfect she is)

What rhyme scheme is used in Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty” ?

ABAB rhyme scheme - simple alternating scheme

What is the context behind Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty” ?

Romantic poet + it was written in 1814 - speculated to be about Anne Beatrix