The use of the sonnets in 20th century poetry.

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Sarah Kennedy English Coursework

The use of the sonnets in 20th century poetry .

In my discussion of literary tradition in the 20th century with specific reference to Shakespearean and Patrarchan sonnet formats, three post 1914 sonnets will be chosen from the poems we have been studying at school for comparison and analysis of the different formats and how they add meaning to the sonnets. I have therefore selected the following as my subjects: Rupert Brooke - 'The Soldier', Robert Frost - 'Acceptance' and Wilfred Owen - 'Anthem for Doomed Youth'. From these three poems we can now discuss the use of the sonnet format in the 20th Century.

The poems selected are written in two different versions of the sonnet format. In both these versions whilst there are always 14 lines, as is basic to the sonnet, the different poets have permitted the sonnet to be divided up in different ways within the basic structure depending on their view and how they wished to emphasise their message.

There is a long tradition, in every century since Patrarchan, for poets to use the sonnet as vehicle for exploring their feelings and experiences. It is well suited to this as the structure permits the poet to place gentle emphasis on the important parts of his message by the use of the repetition of sounds and patterns of rhyme. Whilst the rhymes give resonance to the sounds and emphasise the message, there is also a generally widespread use of alliteration to give further emphasis - e.g. in Robert Frost's uses 'spent sun' (line 1) and 'softly,safe' (line11). Wilfred Owen uses 'rapid rattle' (line 3) and 'sad shires' (line 8) and Rupert Brookes uses 'foreign field' (line 2) and 'laughter learnt' (line 13) amongst many others to bring the additional emphasis which he wanted. The repetition of sounds in this way leaves a lasting thought in the reader's head.
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Robert Frost's poem has a lot less serious tone compared to the other two poems. The message is still put across well but more subtly which fits with the poem. He is talking to the people through his poem but in a rhetorical manner and closes the poem with clear acceptance of his message therefore explaining the title.

Robert Frost's sonnet uses the Shakespearean format. This is where each line is in iambic pentameter with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one e.g. (line 1) 'rays on a cloud' where the emphasis is on the syllable ...

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