Literary Genres: The Sonnet and the Sonneteer

Final Essay Questions

K.McAbee — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:40:55 +0000

For one of your essay questions, you will have a choice between 1) writing on the blazon and 2) writing on themes of the class in relationship to your memorized sonnet.

Specific wording and more details about the final will be forthcoming once my fever breaks. Because I’m ill, I apologize in advance for any delay in replies to emails.

See you Wed/Fri.

Final Exam

K.McAbee — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:20:31 +0000

The final exam is scheduled for Dec. 11th, 4-7pm in Girv 1115.

An alternate exam will be offered on Dec. 9th, 11am-2pm in SH 2635.

You must adhere to the honor code and not discuss the exam questions with classmates if you sit for the alternate exam.

Keep an eye out for updates about exam questions, including possible essay prompts…

Romeo and Juliet

K.McAbee — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:16:44 +0000

As we discussed in class, Romeo and Juliet are sonneteers by any other name. Download the powerpoint from class to review our discussion: Romeo and Juliet Powerpoint

Virtual Class: “Virtual Sonnets”

K.McAbee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:35:36 +0000

You are not required to do this work during class time nor to use the Early Modern Center. It is available for you, only during class time, if you would *like* to use it. You are also not required to turn in any work in conjunction with this virtual class, although I will expect you to take notes and be prepared for discussion.

For today’s class, your challenge is to do some serious, critical thinking about the sonnet as pastiche. Specifically, you’ll be looking at digital sonnet generators to consider questions of form, theme, and composition.

Focus on these three sites (but you are encouraged to dig about on the web for more):

A Billion Godawful Sonnets

[“NEW! Now with improved pentameter lines!”]

http://www.fibitz.com/sonnets/sonnets.html

This example mentions Raymond Queneau (whom you’re reading for Thursday’s class) as its inspiration.

Read the page in full.
Refresh at least 3 times to read and generate at least 3 sonnets. Please highlight and copy each sonnet into a document that you can print out and bring to class on Thursday.
Do these sonnets “make sense”? What do they have in common with the others we’ve read for this class?
This generator mentions a glitch that produces a “false sonnet.” Are such sonnets any more “false” than the ones generated without the glitch?

The Shakespearean Blank Verse Sonnet Generator

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~dsteinbr/computing/fun/sonnets.rb

This example emphasizes meter over rhyme.

Read the page in full.
Refresh at least 3 times to read and generate at least 3 sonnets. Please highlight and copy each sonnet into a document that you can print out and bring to class on Thursday.
Are these sonnets, in fact, “utter nonsense”? If so, what is their appeal? What do they have in common with the others we’ve read for this class?
What does the emphasis on meter over rhyme say about the sonnet form?
What is the effect of the “Shakespearean-sounding words” and what does that phrase mean?

Sonnet Generator (Shakespeare / Millay)

http://positdesign.com/2009/portfolio/animation-multimedia/sonnet-generator/

This example is a result of ActionScript experiments. In other words, it is born of computer science rather than creative writing.

Read the page in full. Be sure to click the “?” for details on the main frame.
You will probably have trouble copying and pasting from this page. As best you can, transcribe (type or write out) at least one of the sonnets you generate by clicking “compose sonnet.” “Compose” at least 3 sonnets.
Do these sonnets make sense?
What does this generator suggest about the relationship between Shakespeare and Millay? Do these sonnets suggest anything about the themes of sonnets over time?
How does it compare to the other generators in aims, objectives, and outputs?

Summing Up….

Might you consider the sonnets generated in these sites to be digital ephemera? Or, do they, in contrast, have staying power? That is, do they have permanence or significance in a context beyond random generation? Could they be socially exchanged in the same way as other sonnets? What do they suggest about the actual composition of sonnets?

Virtual Class Info

K.McAbee — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:07:45 +0000

Details are forthcoming on the virtual class for Monday 11/17. They will be posted no later than 3:30 that day so you can participate during scheduled class time if you prefer. There are a limited number of computers available for your use during class that day in the Early Modern Center, SH 2510. Please let Billy Hall, the Early Modern Center Fellow, know that you are there for my class.

I hope you enjoy your guest lecture today!

OED off-campus access

K.McAbee — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:42:25 +0000

Here’s a link to the library’s info on off-campus access to its services:

Off-Campus Access

The proxy server option is the easier method (over the VPN).

Once you’ve logged in, follow the links for Research Sources –> Electronic Books, Dictionaries, et. al.

Let me know if you have trouble!

Midterm Exam

K.McAbee — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:54:26 +0000

The take-home midterm exam is almost upon us. You will receive the questions on Tuesday Oct 20th and will submit your responses on October 27th. No class on October 22nd to give you time to complete your exam.

Teach-In (Wed. Oct 14th, 2:30 – midnight, Campbell Hall)

K.McAbee — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:04:55 +0000

The budget crisis at the University of California has generated fee increases, layoffs, and furloughs for hundreds of thousands, along with much confusion, frustration, and anger. To explain it all and chart a progressive path forward, UCSB will be the site of a teach-in on October 14, 2009. Organized by a committee of students, staff, and faculty at UCSB, the teach-in will bring to the campus leading experts, activists, and political figures from through the state. Their aim is to get to the root of the massive budget shortfalls threatening higher education. Since the mid 1960s, teach-ins on topics foreign and domestic have been used on college camuses to provide an occasion for focused learning and debate on pressing issues.

See http://uptesb.org/

Wroth and Davies (for October 15th)

K.McAbee — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:38:07 +0000

You should read each of these sequences in their entirety.

Lady Mary Wroth, A Crown of Sonnets Dedicated to Love
14 sonnets. Where have we seen that number before … ?

Sir John Davies, Gullinge Sonnets
8 sonnets. What does “gulling” mean in this context?

Sonnet Conversation Assignment

K.McAbee — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:05:12 +0000

Be sure to sign up for a meeting for the sonnet conversation assignment!
Take a look at the details for the assignment and the schedule in progress then contact me with your preferences by October 9th.