- Review the W1 and W2 Literary Analysis Tools modules. Part of your grade is based on selection, integration, and citation of quotations.
- Review the “Critical Reading Skills” section of the W1 Literary Analysis Tools module.
- Read Spenser’s Sonnet 75 (Vol. 1, p. 490) and Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60 (Vol. 1, pp. 559-560).Both of these poems seem to seek the same result–immortality through poetry. In other words, the object of the poet’s affection lives on because we are still reading the poem hundreds of years later. It is a flattering way to pay tribute to someone, isn’t it? This idea of homage is often used in other places, such as art and song lyrics. See this music video of Elton John performing “Your Song” and Heben Nigatu’s article on BuzzFeed describing works of art paying tribute to Treyvon Martin, for example. The idea, of course, is to share a person’s memory with the world so that he or she is never forgotten. Now reflect on these two poems and determine how each of the writers works to preserve the object of their affection in his poetry.Perform a close reading of each sonnet and address each of the following in your response:
How is the idea of time important in each sonnet?
Describe Spenser’s reason(s) for wanting the object of his affection to live on through the poem and compare it to Shakespeare’s reason(s). How are they different?300 words minimum (excluding quotations and citations)
Include at least two properly integrated and cited quotations (at least one from each work) to support your claims. You may use either direct or paraphrased quotes. See the Literary Analysis Tools Modules in Weeks 1 and 2 for information about integrating and citing quotes.
