The Features of a Shakespearean Sonnet

In this lesson, we will learn about some of the features of the Shakespearean sonnet. We will read Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 130' and identify key sonnet features within it, such as the rhyme scheme, the use of quatrains and the overall length of the poem.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Which of these features would you always expect to see in every poem?

1/7

Q2.Is there one standard definition of poetry?

2/7

Q3.Which of these topics could you come across in a sonnet?

3/7

Q4.Which country did sonnets originate in?

4/7

Q5.Which of these writers is know for writing sonnets?

5/7

Q6.Are Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets the same?

6/7

Q7.Do sonnets have a specific structure?

7/7

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.Which of these features would you always expect to see in every poem?

1/7

Q2.Is there one standard definition of poetry?

2/7

Q3.Which of these topics could you come across in a sonnet?

3/7

Q4.Which country did sonnets originate in?

4/7

Q5.Which of these writers is know for writing sonnets?

5/7

Q6.Are Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets the same?

6/7

Q7.Do sonnets have a specific structure?

7/7

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

The features of a Shakespearean sonnet

This will help you assess what you have learnt in the lesson.

Q1.How many lines are there in a Shakespearean sonnet?

1/7

Q2.Which of the below explanations best describes a rhyme scheme?

2/7

Q3.Which of the below rhyme schemes is correct for a Shakespearean sonnet?

3/7

Q4.There are 3 _______________ in a Shakespearean sonnet.

4/7

Q5.The final two lines of a Shakespearean sonnet share an end rhyme and are called _________________.

5/7

Q6.Which of the descriptions below is the correct definition of a 'volta' in poetry?

6/7

Q7.Where does the volta occur in a Shakespearean sonnet?

7/7

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

The features of a Shakespearean sonnet

This will help you assess what you have learnt in the lesson.

Q1.How many lines are there in a Shakespearean sonnet?

1/7

Q2.Which of the below explanations best describes a rhyme scheme?

2/7

Q3.Which of the below rhyme schemes is correct for a Shakespearean sonnet?

3/7

Q4.There are 3 _______________ in a Shakespearean sonnet.

4/7

Q5.The final two lines of a Shakespearean sonnet share an end rhyme and are called _________________.

5/7

Q6.Which of the descriptions below is the correct definition of a 'volta' in poetry?

6/7

Q7.Where does the volta occur in a Shakespearean sonnet?

7/7

Lesson summary: The Features of a Shakespearean Sonnet

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