We began our Shakespearean literature study with his sonnets, since they are smaller in scope, to help us tackle his larger works later.
My goal was to break down the complexity and intricacy of iconic Shakespearean language patterns.
SONNETS FROM PETRARCH TO SHAKESPEARE
On the white board I drew out the development of the sonnet, from its origins in Petrarch to the classic Shakespeare, which the kids copied onto their own paper.
We learned about Petrarchan sonnets a few weeks ago when we studied the Italian Renaissance.
This review bridged the information with how Shakespearean refined the style.
Since my kids will write a sonnet for a contest at the Folger Shakespeare Library, they were paying close attention so they can win the entire set of Shakespeare’s plays!
DO SONNETS HAVE TO BE ABOUT LOVE?
Referencing a source on sonnets, I read that sonnets are about love.
My son asked, “Really?”
Um, well, that’s what my notes say.
In triumph he asked, “What about Sir Thomas Wyatt’s sonnet, “My Galley?
I deadpanned, “The galley is a metaphor for lost love.”
Disheartened response, “Oh.”
I decided to leave it at that, teasingly, since I was curious where this would go.
What if he finds examples that are non-love related and perhaps more military related?
Turning to the Folger website on the elements of a sonnet, they gave permission to write sonnets on subjects other than love!
Funny though, my son is suggesting we study Romeo and Juliet on Valentine’s.
Nevertheless, the kids asked a lot of questions about Shakespeare which were fun to discuss.
I sensed the kids getting excited about this literature unit.
IAMBIC PENTAMETER
Then we discussed iambic pentameter, which forms the foundation for the language patterns in Shakespeare’s writings.
I knew my daughter might remember what it was, since she picks up literary concepts quickly.
However, I thought this would be new to my son but he already knew what it was.
Since they knew the definition of iambic pentameter, the next goal was to recognize it when we hear it, and to know how to speak with the proper rise and fall and rhythm of iambic pentameter for their recitations.
KINESTHETICALLY TEACHING IAMBIC PENTAMETER
Finding some movement activities that I found at the Folger Shakespeare Library to teach iambic pentameter, we began with Stomping and Romping with Shakespeare.
I let my son lead, because all week he’s been creatively stomping through the house on his own for some reason I’ve yet to figure out.
Little did he know it would become a literature lesson, of stomping through the house in iambic pentameter.
As they stepped lightly with their left foot and heavily with their right foot, I read some lines from Shakespeare’s sonnets, then I threw in some lines from Dr. Suess’ Green Eggs and Ham!
That brought a lot of laughter because of the unexpected.
When I asked which part of our body replicates iambic pentameter, they eventually realized it was the heart!
Next, we practiced exaggerating iambic pentameter in A Winter’s Song, from Love’s Labour’s Lost, and another sonnet from Macbeth.
After analyzing word meaning in A Winter’s Song, they pantomimed while I read it aloud.
By the end of the activities from the Folger, the kids had a good handle on iambic pentameter, and had fun in the process.
READING SONNETS
Finally, we read the most famous of Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets, #18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Since we have a heavy reading load, I didn’t assign the rest of the sonnets for reading, but my daughter wants to read them anyway.
Even though my son isn’t interested, I know he’ll be more interested in some of the plays.
Their other reading assignment is a biography on Shakespeare, which my son has already completed.
EPILOGUE 2024
I just found this interesting blog post: Sonnets in Romeo and Juliet, myshakespeare.me
Additionally, the blog header is from the Playbooth Theater performing The Taming of the Shrew at Colonial Williamsburg.
