The Sonnet Genre Combining with Figurative Language Essay -- Sonnets L

The Sonnet Genre Combining with Figurative LanguageCompare how the conventions of the sonnet genre intensify withfigurative language to construct meaning in at least two texts.Originating in Italy, the sonnet was established by Petrarch in the 14th one C as a major form of love poetry, and came to be adopted inEngland in the 16th century (Oxford Literary terms). Overtime there gift been different types of sonnets written, for example the Italian(Petrarchan) sonnet, the English (Shakespearean) sonnet and theSpenserian sonnet. Each of these sonnets have there own conventionsand use different types of poetic language to help induce meaning forthe reader. For the purpose of this essay we will look at how theconventions of sonnets combine specifically with figurative languageto create meaning. We will begin by sounding briefly at the three typesof sonnet conventions before moving on to look at WilliamShakespeares Sonnet 18 and Sonnet 73 to display how meaning iscreated through the co mbination of conventions and figurativelanguage.As earlier mentioned, there are different types of sonnet, the majortypes being Italian, Shakespearean and Spenserian, each having theirown sonnet form. All forms generally have some common features, suchas comprising of fourteen lines and being written in iambicpentameter. The Italian sonnet has an eight-line octave, which normallyraises an issue/argument followed by a six-line sestet where theissue/argument is resolved. The octave has a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA,and the sestet can have each two or three rhyming sounds arranged ina variety of ways, for example CDCDCD, CDDCDC, CDECDE thus making thesestet very flexible. The Shakespearean sonnet comprises of... ...ar conventions but developed its argument much like the Italiansonnet. This shows how the English form and Italian argument structurecompliment each other. The conventions of both these sonnets didcreate meaning but this was further enhanced with the use offigurative language . In sonnet 73 the metaphors were used to showthe speaker growing old and because extended throughout the sonnet, whichhelped to emphasize the sonnets central meaning. Whereas in Sonnet18 personification was used to create an image in the readers head ofan amazingly exquisite woman who is incomparable to even the nicestseason, summer. I conclude that on there own both conventions andfigurative language create meaning but when combine the meaning isenhanced. This is due to figurative language being able to createimages for the reader and add mood and tension to a sonnet.