Sonnets, as all forms of poetry, allow writers greater opportunity to express themselves freely, using different forms of figurative language. Its rigid structure has positive and negative aspects. The fourteen line poem, with the first eight lines explaining the problem that the next four lines attempt to offer a solution finally ending a two line conclusion, does provide a sense of stability. It helps the reader understand what to look for and where. For example, Sonnet 2's first two quatrains discusses how it is a shame that the boy's beauty will soon wither away, and is basically asking the question of "How will you preserve your beauty?". The third quatrain suggests that he passes on his beauty to his children. The last two lines, or the couplet, summarizes how that when his beauty will cease, it will continue in "thy blood" or children.
However, this structure is also very limiting. It allows little room for freedom of expression, forcing the writer to maintain a strict outline. This is mainly restricting to the person actually writing the poem, while it could offer a sense of clarity to the readers. Personally, I find sonnets, in general, too limiting. I prefer less restricting types of poems, where authors have the ability to express themselves freely.
3 comments:
MElDA!
honeslty, i am not sure what Mr. Webster really wants us to say about wha tnayone writes other than i agree or i disagree. But i have to say that i do agree with what you said and i was about to write something very similar to what you wrote and comment on the same sonnet but then when i read ur post i had to change or else it would look like i copied!
although it is somewhat limiting for the poet it also prevents him from babling and makes the sonnet much more powerful and concise.
I personally dont think its limiting. Although 14 lines could be considered short however the content is soo deep in meaning.
Post a Comment