In the following term paper I am going to analyse the sonnet 60 by William Shakespeare. The aim of this paper is to examine sonnet 60 in matters of its external form, its discourse and story level as well as its various different interpretations in general.
I decided to focus primarily on the sonnet itself and targeted to provide an accurate description of the poem’s characteristic features, syntactic and semantic levels as well as its phonetics and how these factors influence the meaning of the sonnet. Therefore I will not go into details concerning the sonnet’s author William Shakespeare or the poem’s history of origins.
Nevertheless I engaged myself with some secondary literature in order to gain a broader insight into the matter of the subject. A list of literature, I used for this interpretation can be found in the bibliography below.
Along with this secondary literature the term paper is generally based on the information, provided by the power point presentation of the course Literary Studies 1.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Preliminaries
- 2.1. Primary Text
- 2.2. Translation into German
- 2.3. Vocabulary
- 2.4. Phonetic Transcription
- 3. Story Level
- 3.1 Characters
- 3.2 Action
- 3.3 Temporal and Local Setting
- 4. Discourse Level
- 4.1 Story as viewed from a discourse perspective.
- 4.2 External Form
- 4.3 Suprasegmental Level
- 4.4 Phonetic Level
- 4.5 Morphologic and Syntactic Level
- 4.6 Semantic Level
- 4.7 Tendentious Discursive modes
- 5. An Interpretation
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this term paper is to analyze Shakespeare's Sonnet 60, focusing on its external form, discourse and story levels, and various interpretations. The analysis prioritizes a detailed description of the poem's characteristic features, including syntactic and semantic levels, as well as phonetics and their influence on meaning. The author limits the scope to the sonnet itself, foregoing a detailed exploration of Shakespeare's biography or the poem's historical context.
- The relentless passage of time and its impact on beauty and youth.
- The use of figurative language and imagery to convey the theme of mortality.
- The relationship between the speaker and the addressee in the sonnet.
- Analysis of the sonnet's structure and form (external and internal).
- The different levels of interpretation of the sonnet.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the term paper's objective: a comprehensive analysis of Shakespeare's Sonnet 60, focusing on its form, discourse, story, and various interpretations. The author clarifies the scope of the analysis, emphasizing a detailed examination of the poem's linguistic features while acknowledging the use of secondary literature for broader insight.
2. Preliminaries: This section lays the groundwork for the analysis. It presents the primary text (Sonnet 60), a German translation, a vocabulary section defining key terms within the sonnet, and a phonetic transcription of the poem. The inclusion of the German translation and vocabulary demonstrates a meticulous approach to understanding the nuances of the language and meaning. The phonetic transcription provides access to the poem's sound structure, essential for a complete analysis.
3. Story Level: This chapter delves into the narrative aspects of Sonnet 60. It identifies the two main characters—the speaker (likely a poet) and the addressee (possibly a young man)—and explores their implied relationship, emphasizing the ambiguity present within the text. The chapter then analyzes the "action" of the poem, interpreting the figurative language used to represent the passage of time and its effect on human life, specifically youth and beauty. The inevitable approach of death is portrayed through the metaphor of waves crashing on the shore.
4. Discourse Level: This chapter focuses on analyzing the sonnet from a discourse perspective. It examines the poem's external form, suprasegmental features (prosody), phonetic level, morphologic and syntactic structures, semantic aspects, and finally, tendentious discursive modes. This section is a detailed linguistic analysis, breaking down how the structure and use of language impact the meaning and effect of the poem. By examining these various levels, this chapter aims to illuminate how Shakespeare’s stylistic choices contribute to the overall impact and interpretation of the sonnet.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Sonnet 60, time, mortality, beauty, youth, figurative language, linguistic analysis, discourse analysis, interpretation, poetry.
Shakespeare's Sonnet 60: A Linguistic and Literary Analysis - FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a term paper analyzing Shakespeare's Sonnet 60. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on the poem's linguistic features, including its external form, discourse and story levels, and various interpretations.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Sonnet 60?
The analysis explores the relentless passage of time and its impact on beauty and youth, the use of figurative language and imagery to convey the theme of mortality, the relationship between the speaker and the addressee, the sonnet's structure and form, and different levels of interpretation.
What aspects of Sonnet 60 are analyzed in the term paper?
The analysis covers various levels of the sonnet: the story level (characters, action, setting), the discourse level (external form, suprasegmental features, phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, and tendentious discursive modes), and different interpretations. It prioritizes a detailed description of the poem's characteristic features, particularly its syntactic and semantic levels, as well as phonetics and their influence on meaning.
What is included in the "Preliminaries" section of the analysis?
The "Preliminaries" section provides the foundational elements for the analysis. This includes the original English text of Sonnet 60, a German translation, a vocabulary section defining key terms, and a phonetic transcription of the poem.
How does the analysis approach the "Story Level" of the sonnet?
The "Story Level" analysis identifies the characters (speaker and addressee), explores their implied relationship, and analyzes the "action" of the poem, interpreting the figurative language used to represent the passage of time and its effect on human life. The focus is on understanding the narrative aspects within the sonnet.
What is covered in the "Discourse Level" analysis of Sonnet 60?
The "Discourse Level" section offers a detailed linguistic analysis, examining the poem's external form, suprasegmental features (prosody), phonetic level, morphology, syntax, semantics, and tendentious discursive modes. This section aims to illustrate how Shakespeare's stylistic choices contribute to the poem's overall impact and interpretation.
What is the scope of the analysis?
The analysis limits its scope to Sonnet 60 itself, foregoing a detailed exploration of Shakespeare's biography or the poem's historical context. The focus remains on the linguistic and literary features within the sonnet itself.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
The keywords associated with this analysis are: Shakespeare, Sonnet 60, time, mortality, beauty, youth, figurative language, linguistic analysis, discourse analysis, interpretation, poetry.
- Citar trabajo
- Iris Strimitzer (Autor), 2013, Analysis and Interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/316282
