I found this weeks curriculum very exciting because I was able to get the chance to learn more about a type of literature that was otherwise basically foreign to me.
In Activity 1, we learned about the different types of poetry as well as the literary terms that come with it.
In Activity 3, I learned that sonnets are always composed of fourteen lines. There are also two different types of sonnets: English and Italian. An Italian sonnet has an octet, which consists of eight lines, and a sestet, which consists of six lines whereas the English sonnet has three quatrains, consisting of four lines each, followed by a couplet which is two lines. A sonnet is the most common type of poetry and they are usually written about love.
In Activities 4 & 5, I was able to read and learn more about the most famous William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare most often writes his sonnets about women, comparing them to seasons, objects, emotions, etc. I have learned this by reading “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day.”. It is also shown in a short lecture on Sonnet 130, “My Mistress’s Eyes Are Nothing like the Sun.”, where Professor Conway states that Shakespeare uses “elaborate metaphors and even mythical allusions are employed to describe adored female subjects.”. (2)
4 thoughts on “Daniel Machover – Week 11 Discussion”
Hi Daniel! I also found this week’s topic exciting because I don’t know much about poetry so it’s nice to be informed by it. While doing activities 4 and 5, I enjoyed reading Shakespeares’ poems because of the way he talked about love. While describing his mistress in “My Mistress’s Eyes Are Nothing like the Sun”, it was interesting when he was referring objects to her. When he compared black wires to her hair or when she says her cheeks are not as red as roses. It was a very interesting poem.
Hello Daniel,
I found interesting in William Shakespeare’ poems. I agree with you that Shakespeare poems are used of love, emotions and objects. I like that you used professor Conway’s opinion. I like more Elizabeth’s poems because I’ve seen it in high school and was a way I could understand it more.
Hi, Daniel,
I also found this week’s reading quite interesting. I used to find it difficult to understand poems and their meanings but through the assigned activities, this has highly improved. The most interesting poems for me were Shakespear’s as they were interesting and full of emotions.
Daniel, thanks for your comments about the various activities. I have to make one objection though. I did not say that Shakespeare uses “elaborate metaphors and even mythical allusions are employed to describe adored female subjects.”. (2) Just the opposite. In Sonnet 130, he sheds some scorn on poets who do that.