This document provides an overview of a literature unit on understanding poetry. It introduces the poem "Sonnet 116" by William Shakespeare and explores how its form, structure, language and imagery are used to examine the nature of love. Learning objectives are to develop responses to the sonnet and understand how Shakespeare presents his message about love through the formal elements of the poem.

1. GGCCSSEE EEnngglliisshh
LLiitteerraattuurree UUnniitt 22
UUnnddeerrssttaannddiinngg
PPooeettrryy

2. SSttaarrtteerr
• Connotations of the
following image?

4. SSttaarrtteerr
• Connotations of the
following image?
• Stereotypical notions of
love and romance?

5. mmaarrrriiaaggee

6. ““eevveerr--ffiixxeedd””

7. ““LLoovvee’’ss nnoott TTiimmee’’ss
ffooooll””

8. ““SSoonnnneett 111166””
by William Shakespeare

9. LLeeaarrnniinngg OObbjjeeccttiivveess
• To explore and develop your responses to
“Sonnet 116”
• To understand how Shakespeare uses
form, structure, language and imagery to
explore the nature of love.

10. SSoonnnneett FFoorrmm
Structure informs meaning
Quatrain 1: lines 1-4
Quatrain 2: lines 5-8 3 separate points...
Quatrain 3: lines 9-12
Couplet: lines 13-14
...all summed up in the last two
lines

11. Structure & Meaning iinn ““SSoonnnneett 111166””
Main point(s) being made by Shakespeare
Quatrain 1: lines 1-4
Quatrain 2: lines 5-8
Quatrain 3: lines 9-12
Couplet: lines 13-14

12. PPrraaccttiiccee QQuueessttiioonn
What is Shakespeare saying about the
nature of love and relationships in “Sonnet
116”?