I dont get my Shakespeare Sonnet English homework!?!?

Question

1)Does it follow the specified Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme? If not, where does the rhyme scheme deviate from the pattern?

2)Does this sonnet hace the iambic pentameter rythem? If not, where does the rhythm deviate from iambic pentameter?

3) List 2 examples of fig. language in this sonnet.what is the effect of this language on the meaning of the poem as a whole?


My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Answer 1

Standard Shakespearean rhyme scheme is ABAB, which means that the ends of the odd-numbered lines (1,3,5) will rhyme with each other and the same is true of the even-numbered lines (2,4,6).

The iambic pentameter rhythm typical of all Shakespeare's writing is a ten-syllable sequence per line with the accent applied to every other syllable. Wherever you don't count ten syllables per line, THAT's where it deviates from iambic pentameter.

As for figurative language, look for comparisons between real-world objects and the characteristics of the woman Shakespeare's writing about. "Black wires" as used in line 4 is the most obvious, but there's several others.

Good luck with this! Shakespeare can be grating, but he's well worth getting to know if you want to grasp most literature which came after him.

Answer 2

1) compare the rhyme scheme to the other sonnets
Note this poem's rhyme scheme is ABABCDCDEFEFGG, which I think is the usual pattern for his sonnets.

2) Iambic Pentameter means 5 "feet" of an unstressed, then stressed syllable. Look at the first line - caps = stressed
my MIS tress' EYES are NO thing LIKE the SUN
and then line 3 -
if SNOW be WHITE why THEN her BREASTS are DUN
both of these are standard Iamb Pent. (5 feet, each - ^ )
Scan the other lines to get the ones that differ - start with line 2 (hint). Note the last line.

3) The whole thing is figurative language.
Is her hair really wires? Note comparison of sun to eyes, snow to breasts, etc.
What is the effect? Think about it. Is he really putting her down by these comparisons? (Look at the last two lines.)

Good luck!

Answer 3

It most definately does follow the ryhming pattern.
And yes it does follow iambic pentameter!
Not sure on the last one. XD Sorry!

Answer 4

1. yes
2. yes
3. ...i can't think.
you might have to get other help on that one.