The Sonnet Genre Combining with Figurative Language

The Sonnet Genre Combining with Figurative Language

Compare how the conventions of the sonnet genre combine with

figurative language to create meaning in at least two texts.

Originating in Italy, the sonnet was established by Petrarch in the 14th

century as a major form of love poetry, and came to be adopted in

England in the 16th century (Oxford Literary terms). Overtime there

have been different types of sonnets written, for example the Italian

(Petrarchan) sonnet, the English (Shakespearean) sonnet and the

Spenserian sonnet. Each of these sonnets have there own conventions

and use different types of poetic language to help create meaning for

the reader. For the purpose of this essay we will look at how the

conventions of sonnets combine specifically with figurative language

to create meaning. We will begin by looking briefly at the three types

of sonnet conventions before moving on to look at William

Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 18’ and ‘Sonnet 73’ to show how meaning is

created through the combination of conventions and figurative

language.

As earlier mentioned, there are different types of sonnet, the major

types being Italian, Shakespearean and Spenserian, each having their

own sonnet form. All forms generally have some common features, such

as comprising of fourteen lines and being written in iambic

pentameter. The Italian sonnet has an eight-line octave, which usually

raises an issue/argument followed by a six-line sestet where the

issue/argument is resolved. The octave has a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA,

and the sestet can have either two or three rhyming sounds arranged in

a variety of ways, for example CDCDCD, CDDCDC, CDECDE thus making the

sestet very flexible. The Shakespearean sonnet comprises of...

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...ar conventions but developed its argument much like the Italian

sonnet. This shows how the English form and Italian argument structure

compliment each other. The conventions of both these sonnets did

create meaning but this was further enhanced with the use of

figurative language. In ‘sonnet 73’ the metaphors were used to show

the speaker growing old and then extended throughout the sonnet, which

helped to emphasize the sonnets central meaning. Whereas in ‘Sonnet

18’ personification was used to create an image in the readers head of

an amazingly beautiful woman who is incomparable to even the nicest

season, summer. I conclude that on there own both conventions and

figurative language create meaning but when combined the meaning is

enhanced. This is due to figurative language being able to create

images for the reader and add mood and tension to a sonnet.