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Characteristics of Shakespearean Sonnets
Characteristics of Shakespearean Sonnets
Shakespearean sonnets follow a particular standard of structure, rhyme, and form. Let’s explore them with the poem delivered in #1314. The video clip captures the singing recital of Sonnet 27 in English by its actors.
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quatrain stanza Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired.
quatrain stanza For then my thoughts (from far where I abide), Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, And keep my drooping eyelids open wide, Looking on darkness which the blind do see.
quatrain stanza Save that my soul’s imaginary sight Presents thy shadow to my sightless view, Which, like a jewel (hung in ghastly night), Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.
couplet Lo! Thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind, For thee and for myself no quiet find.
Structure
Sonnet 27
Rhyme A B A B
C D C D
E F E F
G G
In most cases, an English sonnet consists of 3 stanzas possessing 4 lines each (quatrain) and ends with a couplet. The Italian counterpart is split into two stanzas of 8 and 6 lines respectively.
The overall attributes of Shakespeare’s sonnets:
• The first three stanzas create an atmosphere or emotion or narrates a particular problem and situation. The poem occasionally takes a sharp turn and unfolds with a twist in the third stanza.
• The ending couplet generally conclude, transcend or deepen one’s contemplation.
They may even totally deny the content of the first three stanzas and bring forth an utterly new perspective.
The first three stanzas in Sonnet 27 describe a traveller who, despite of his weariness, is unable to sleep; he imagines himself embarking on the journey of returning to his partner. The final couplet winds up his lovesickness: physical fatigue during daytime and mental tiredness at night.
Rhyme Scheme
Exercise
Sonnet 27 consists of a number of rhymed words. Try to read them aloud. You should be able to notice the same mouth shape and sound when you are pronouncing the latter half of each pair of syllables.
Bed Tired Abide Thee Sight View Mind Head Expired Wide See Night New Find
In an English sonnet, alternate rhymes are employed for the first three stanzas. The ending rhymes for each stanza may be different, they remain the same for the final couplet. Such rhyme scheme is commonly denoted as “ABAB CDCD EFEF GG”.
Take the example of Sonnet 27 on the previous page, the same rhyme is used for line 1 and 3 (bed, head) and line 2 and 4 (tired, expired). A new pair of rhymes are seen in each stanza. The final couplet rhyme with “mind” and “find” .
The rhyme scheme of English sonnets stands a stark difference from their Italian counterparts, which render the enclosing rhyme – ABBAABBA – for the first 8 lines. The second stanza, having 6 lines, tends to operate with another rhyme with a more diversified format such as CDCCDC or CDECDE.
Metre
Both English and Italian Sonnets follow iambic pentametre. Each line is written with 10 syllables; an unstressed one is followed by a stressed one. This could be deemed as the most prominent feature of a sonnet.
Exercise
The second line Sonnet 27 observes closely the iambic pentametre. Read it aloud and feel the alternately stressed syllable.
The /dear /re /pose /for /limbs /with /tra /vel /tired X / / X / / X / / X / / /
The reassuring quality of iambic pentametre may be explained by its alternating pattern that is akin to that of heartbeat. Could you notice the rhythm of the above line when you are reciting it?
Shakespeare is fond of the metre of iambic pentameter, which can be found in a majority of dialogue and sonnets from his plays. Undoubtedly, the literary effect is also achieved by the occasional violation of norms. For instances, in the following line, the first word “ weary” shows an inverted sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables deviating from the metre’s convention.
Wea /ry /with /toil /I /haste /me /to /my /bed / / X / X / / X / / X / / X /
You may not have to fathom every word and line in order to appreciate a poem. Try to perceive its imageries and similes or simply enjoy its beauty by feeling its rhymes and tempo through reciting.
Exercise
Listen again to the recitation of Sonnet 27 by the actor from “#1314”. Performed on a theatrical stage, does it inspire any unusual thoughts about its rhymes and metre?
