Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sonnets from the Portuguese Group Activity #2

On Monday each group looked at one of the Sonnets from the Portuguese in detail. For today’s class, I want you to choose two of the other sonnets and contrast the ways in which Browning employs traditional sonnet forms and structures across the three poems (i.e. the poem you looked at on Monday and the two additional poems you choose). For instance, does her rhyme scheme vary? Does the volta appear at different places? How does she vary the theme of the absent lover? For each point of contrast, explain why that particular poem demanded to be written in this way. How else might Browning have composed the poem? Why is the way she chose more successful?

Each group should summarize their responses in writing. This can take the form of informal notes or an outline, but should run about a page in length.

No comments:

Post a Comment