In “The Merchant of Venice”, Shakespeare states an attitude towards form and matter which can be considered not only as that of the character but also as his own: Those “that for a tricksy word defy the matter” are “fools” (Hubler 243). This can be read as a claim that form must be subordinated to substance (Hubler 241). Indeed, with regard to the sonnets, Shakespeare does not seem to be very inventive as far as the form is concerned. He adopts the rhyme scheme that Surrey established (abab - cdcd - efefgg) (Spiller 158), draws on the highly passionate and rhetorical language formerly used by Sidney, and he employs some of Spenser’s phrasings in his own works (Prince 176 and 178). Yet, there is something unique about Shakespeare’s poetry, something which is not purely derived from the substance but t o a large extent from the structure. It is the conveyance of emotion with means that are part of the form. In a narrow sense, ‘form’ is “that in virtue of which the parts are related one to another” (Nowottny 111). This notion focuses on elements in terms of their formal (arrangement of the lines into stanzas), syntactical, logical, and phonetic relationship towards each other and is mainly concerned with movements produced by those elements (Booth, 175). In a wider sense, ‘form’ as the opposite of ‘contents’ also includes the use of imagery and other devices which form part of the poetic technique. In the following essay, I will focus on the narrow concept of ‘form’ and explain why and how the sonnet provides a frame within which Shakespeare finds numerous tools to express emotion. After some outlining general remarks about the contents of Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the topics best suited for this kind of poetry, I will deal with Sonnets 29, 4, and 23, all of which belong to the category associated with the young man. I will also point out how Shakespeare’s use of the form differs from that of Sidney, exemplified through Sonnet 71 of the sequence Astrophil and Stella. I will conclude by saying that the form, even if Shakespeare did think it a vassal to the matter of the sonnet, is to a large extent responsible for the success that the poems have achieved in their attempt to convey the denseness of human emotion. [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1 An outline of the contents of the Sonnets
- 2 Preliminary remarks about the sonnet: what it is, what it can achieve
- 3 Internal divisions in the original Italian sonnets
- 4 Internal divisions in Shakespeare's Sonnets
- 4.1 Logical, formal, and phonetic patterns in Sonnet 29
- 4.2 Logical and syntactical patterns in Sonnet 4
- 4.3 Meter, rhyme scheme, and syntax – Shakespeare's Sonnet 23 and Sidney's Sonnet 71 compared
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The essay aims to explore how Shakespeare utilizes the sonnet form to express emotion. It focuses on the "narrow concept of 'form'," examining the formal, syntactical, logical, and phonetic relationships within the sonnets to demonstrate how these contribute to the conveyance of emotion. The analysis will primarily focus on Shakespeare's Sonnets 29, 4, and 23, comparing Shakespeare's use of form with that of Sidney in Sonnet 71 from Astrophil and Stella.
- The role of form in conveying emotion in Shakespeare's sonnets.
- Comparison of Shakespeare's sonnet structure with the Italian sonnet tradition.
- Analysis of specific sonnets (29, 4, 23) to illustrate the use of form for emotional expression.
- A comparative study of Shakespeare's and Sidney's approaches to the sonnet form.
- The significance of the couplet in Shakespeare's sonnets.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The introduction establishes the essay's central argument: that Shakespeare's mastery lies not just in the content of his sonnets but also in his skillful manipulation of the sonnet's form to convey emotion. It introduces the concept of "form" in both narrow (arrangement of lines, syntax, etc.) and broader (imagery, poetic technique) senses. The essay will focus on the narrow concept, analyzing how structural elements in Sonnets 29, 4, and 23, all addressed to the young man, contribute to emotional impact. A comparison with Sidney's Sonnet 71 will further illuminate Shakespeare's unique approach. The introduction references scholarly opinions on Shakespeare’s attitude toward form and content, highlighting his reliance on established conventions while simultaneously creating something uniquely his own.
1 An outline of the contents of the Sonnets: This section provides a brief overview of the thematic content of Shakespeare's sonnets. It clarifies that the sonnets addressed to the young man (1-126) celebrate his beauty and urge him to marry, using potentially feminine descriptions that fueled speculation about Shakespeare’s sexuality. The section notes that these descriptions shouldn't be viewed solely through a modern lens and contrasts them with the themes of Sonnets 127-154, which focus on the more overtly sexual relationship with the "Dark Lady." The section emphasizes the ambiguity of the term "love" within the collection.
2 Preliminary remarks about the sonnet: what it is, what it can achieve: This chapter discusses the sonnet's inherent capabilities for expressing intense emotion in a concise manner. It draws parallels between the sonnet and drama, noting the sonnet's capacity for "concision and subtle modulation" within its limited fourteen lines. This brevity, the chapter argues, allows for a focus on core themes while still offering sufficient space to develop a train of thought, making it particularly well-suited to conveying the complexities of romantic love. The chapter highlights the sonnet's suitability for dramatic expression due to its inherent structure.
3 Internal divisions in the original Italian sonnets: This section examines the structural conventions of the Italian sonnet, particularly Petrarch's work. It emphasizes the thematic division into octave (eight lines) and sestet (six lines), with the volta (turn) typically occurring after the octave. The chapter explains how Petrarch used this structure to present an argument in the octave and its resolution or application in the sestet, highlighting the importance of the volta's placement to maintain the poem's balance and avoid stylistic flaws.
4 Internal divisions in Shakespeare's Sonnets: This chapter focuses on how Shakespeare adapts the Italian sonnet form. Although Shakespeare mostly retains the eight-line pause, his rhyme scheme differs (abab cdcd efef gg). The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper analysis of Shakespeare's manipulation of this altered structure for emotional expression in the following sub-sections.
Keywords
Shakespearean sonnets, sonnet form, emotional expression, poetic technique, Italian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet, volta, Sidney, Astrophil and Stella, Sonnet 29, Sonnet 4, Sonnet 23, form and content.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Shakespeare's Sonnets
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay explores how Shakespeare uses the sonnet form to express emotion. It focuses on the "narrow concept of 'form'," examining the formal, syntactical, logical, and phonetic relationships within the sonnets to demonstrate how these contribute to the conveyance of emotion.
Which sonnets are analyzed in detail?
The analysis primarily focuses on Shakespeare's Sonnets 29, 4, and 23, comparing Shakespeare's use of form with that of Sidney in Sonnet 71 from Astrophil and Stella.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the role of form in conveying emotion in Shakespeare's sonnets; a comparison of Shakespeare's sonnet structure with the Italian sonnet tradition; analysis of specific sonnets to illustrate the use of form for emotional expression; a comparative study of Shakespeare's and Sidney's approaches to the sonnet form; and the significance of the couplet in Shakespeare's sonnets.
What is the essay's argument regarding Shakespeare's use of the sonnet form?
The essay argues that Shakespeare's mastery lies not just in the content of his sonnets but also in his skillful manipulation of the sonnet's form to convey emotion. It emphasizes that Shakespeare's reliance on established conventions while simultaneously creating something uniquely his own.
How does the essay define "form"?
The essay uses a "narrow concept of 'form'," focusing on the arrangement of lines, syntax, and other structural elements within the sonnets. While acknowledging a broader sense of form encompassing imagery and poetic technique, the analysis primarily concentrates on the structural aspects.
What is the significance of the comparison with Sidney's Sonnet 71?
The comparison with Sidney's Sonnet 71 from Astrophil and Stella helps to illuminate Shakespeare's unique approach to the sonnet form, highlighting his individual manipulation of established conventions for emotional expression.
What is covered in the chapter summarizing the content of Shakespeare's sonnets?
This section provides a brief overview of the thematic content of Shakespeare's sonnets, distinguishing between those addressed to the young man (1-126), which celebrate his beauty and urge him to marry, and those addressed to the "Dark Lady" (127-154), which focus on a more overtly sexual relationship. It highlights the ambiguity of "love" within the collection.
What does the essay say about the structure of the Italian sonnet?
The essay examines the structural conventions of the Italian sonnet, particularly Petrarch's work, emphasizing the thematic division into octave (eight lines) and sestet (six lines), with the volta (turn) typically occurring after the octave. It explains how this structure was used to present an argument and its resolution.
How does Shakespeare adapt the Italian sonnet form?
Shakespeare mostly retains the eight-line pause, but his rhyme scheme differs (abab cdcd efef gg). The essay analyzes how this altered structure is manipulated for emotional expression.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include Shakespearean sonnets, sonnet form, emotional expression, poetic technique, Italian sonnet, rhyme scheme, couplet, volta, Sidney, Astrophil and Stella, Sonnet 29, Sonnet 4, Sonnet 23, and form and content.
- Quote paper
- Anne Thoma (Author), 2004, How does Shakespeare utilise the sonnet form to express emotion? Discuss with reference to at least three poems, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/25824
