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Shakespeare’s Sonnets: A Critical Study
Appalal Abdulgaffar Attar (Ph.D.)
Abstract
William Shakespeare needs no introduction to the scholars of English generally, and poetry especially. As a sonnet writer, he penned 154 sonnets which became extremely popular among the readers of all the ages throughout the world His sonnets are measured a continuation of the sonnet tradition that swept through the Renaissance from Petrarch in 14th-century Italy and was finally introduced in 16th-century England by Thomas Wyatt and was given its rhyming meter and division into quatrains by Henry Howard. With few exceptions, Shakespeare’s sonnets observe the stylistic sort of English sonnet—the rhyme scheme, the 14 lines, and therefore the meter. But Shakespeare’s sonnets introduce such significant departures of content that they appear to be rebelling against well-worn 200-year-old traditions.[2] Instead of expressing worshipful love for an almost goddess-like yet unobtainable female love-object, as Petrarch, Dante, and Philip Sidney had done, Shakespeare introduces a young man. He also introduces the Dark Lady, who is not any goddess. Shakespeare explores themes like lust, homoeroticism, misogyny, infidelity, and acrimony in ways in which may challenge, but which also open new terrain for the sonnet form. Shakespeare's Sonnets are some of the most fascinating and influential poems written in English.
Keywords: Shakespearean sonnets, Italian model, Theme of love, compensation and separation, Wyatt and Surrey’s style, Youth-hood.
English poetry is modeled upon Italian poetry. The Italian poets Petrarch, Dante, Tasso, Ariosto, Michelangelo and Colonna cultivated fine poetry. Petrarchian style of poetry, particularly the sonnet in 14 lines with Octave (rhyming abba abba) and a sestet (with several rhyme schemes) came into vogue. Octave provided the subject and sestet provided the resolution. Petrarchan sonnet had a turn (volte) at the end of octave. The English sonneteers did not follow it, and they adopted varied rhyme schemes in sestet. Petrarchan sonnets spoke of love and chivalry. The Italian, French and English sonneteers used the sonnet as if a literary exercise.
The English poet Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542) introduced the Italian sonnet form in England. Henry Howard, Earl of Survey (1517-1547) broadened the scope of the English sonnet.
This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.
Appalal Abdulgaffar Attar (Ph.D.)
Lecturer
College of Sciences and Arts, Almethnab
Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
appalal1100@gmail.com
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