In the poem 'Song for the Old Ones' Maya Angelou explores (QUESTION) by using the development of theme and the technique of imagery.
In the poem 'Song for the Old Ones' Maya Angelou explores (QUESTION) by using the development of theme and the technique of imagery. Within this Maya Angelou poem she convincingly portrays the idea that her ancestors sacrificed themselves and accepted their oppression to keep their race alive: as she says "they kept my race alive." Also the poem explores the different views of slavery. Angelou's view on the subject is that her ancestors were extremely brave and she thanks them for enduring their hardships rather than pitying them as most people do. I think this indicates how convincing Angelou's treatment of the subject 'slavery' is because she is not frightened to express her own views and this emphasises what a serious subject it is. Another idea, depicted in the poem is the thought that Black slaves kept America afloat within the different industries and I feel if it were not for them, America would not be the success it is today; this is indicated in the poem by the lines "It's our submission that makes the world go round." Throughout the poem 'Song for the Old Ones,' I found there to be three strong themes - oppression, slavery and sacrifice. Oppression is an issue which Maya Angelou describes in most of her poetry as well as this particular piece. She successfully portrays oppression by using effective word-choice such as "They've laughed to shield their
Compare how the conventions of the sonnet
Compare how the conventions of the sonnet genre combine with figurative language to create meaning in at least two texts. Originating in Italy, the sonnet was established by Petrarch in the 14th century as a major form of love poetry, and came to be adopted in England in the 16th century (Oxford Literary terms). Overtime there have been different types of sonnets written, for example the Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet, the English (Shakespearean) sonnet and the Spenserian sonnet. Each of these sonnets have there own conventions and use different types of poetic language to help create meaning for the reader. For the purpose of this essay we will look at how the conventions of sonnets combine specifically with figurative language to create meaning. We will begin by looking briefly at the three types of sonnet conventions before moving on to look at William Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' and 'Sonnet 73' to show how meaning is created through the combination of conventions and figurative language. As earlier mentioned, there are different types of sonnet, the major types being Italian, Shakespearean and Spenserian, each having their own sonnet form. All forms generally have some common features, such as comprising of fourteen lines and being written in iambic pentameter. The Italian sonnet has an eight-line octave, which usually raises an issue/argument followed by a six-line sestet
Are there any ways in which you consider that experiences conveyed by the sonnets, by pre-20th century poets differ from those conveyed by the writers of modern sonnets?
English Coursework: Sonnets Question: Are there any ways in which you consider that experiences conveyed by the sonnets, by pre-20th century poets differ from those conveyed by the writers of modern sonnets? * Are there any similarities? * You must consider two pre-20th sonnets. A sonnet is a lyric poem consisting of fourteen lines with a very formal rhyme scheme, they usually express thought, mood, or feeling, and these ideas are usually resolved or summarised in the last lines of the poem. The two main forms of the sonnet are the Petrarchan, which consists of an octave, or eight-line stanza, and a sestet, a six-line stanza. The octave has two quatrains, rhyming a b b a, a b b a; the first quatrain presents theme, the second develops it. The sestet is built on two or three different rhymes, and arranged either c d e c d e, or c d c d c d, or c d e d c d; the first three lines exemplify or reflect on the theme, and the last three lines bring the whole poem to a unified close. Among great examples of the Petrarchan sonnet in the English language are Sir Philip Sidney's sonnet sequence Astriphel and Stella (1591), which established the form in the England, and was incredibly popular during the Elizabethan era. The English, or Shakespearean sonnet, exemplified by the work of Shakespeare, developed as a variation to a language less rich in rhymes than in Italian. This
Immortality in Shakespeare's Sonnets. Sonnets 65,104,108, and 116 demonstrate how he has defeated Time with imagery, love, and admiration
Jennifer Garcia Literature of the English Renaissance Immortality in a Sonnet The idea of immortality will either fascinate or scare you; fascinate you in the way that something could stay the same forever or scare you because nothing lives forever. Shakespeare felt true love was eternal despite anything and beauty was everlasting through his words. He believed Time was the taker of all things, but if his words and love were powerful enough, they could defeat Time. Sonnets 65,104,108, and 116 demonstrate how he has defeated Time with imagery, love, and admiration. Shakespeare gives credit to Time in these four sonnets by displaying it’s ability to make things decay, fade, and die. He says right away, “Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea, but sad mortality o’ersways their power.” I imagine brass becoming rusty, stones perishing, the earth decaying, and the sea evaporating all with this first line. He then proposes a question we all might ask, “How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, whose action is no stronger than a flower?” (65) A flower is delicate in every way. If held by the petal the petal will tear, if shaken the petals will fall, if stepped on the flower will die. A tone of despair continues though out this short sonnet while he contemplates ways to defeat Time. “O, fearful meditation, where, alack, shall Time’s best
Analysis of Sheakespeare's Sonnet 73 "That time of year thou mayst in me behold"
Karabelas Libby Karabelas Mr. Wood AP English Literature and Composition 31 October 2012 Aging Through Symbolism When William Shakespeare wrote his sonnets, a group of 152 poems in all, he focused heavily on the concept of decay over time (CITE). Sonnet 73, “That time of year thou mayst in me behold”, was certainly no exception. In this poem Shakespeare uses metaphors to describe his aging process, invoking three mental pictures of how he interprets this decline. It is clear throughout the poem that the message pertains to the impermanence of youth. But in the last couplet we see that, specifically, Shakespeare is discussing his decline with a loved one, and presuming that this sorrowful loss will strengthen the love they feel. William Shakespeare was not a simple-minded man; that was to be sure. He shows through his complex writing style and use of several simultaneous figures of speech that he is a skillful and creative writer. Indeed, as one of the most well known writers in history, Shakespeare would naturally be adept at conveying his feelings. He is obviously a sensitive, emotional person; his topic displays the inner workings of a highly reflective mind, keenly focused on his mental upset about his aging. It’s a matter of opinion if this intense focus is just a product of his self-pity and introspective nature, or if the worry is more focused