Anyone who knows how to write a Shakespearean sonnet- HELP!?

Question

Ok, I understand that it has to have 14 lines, ending in a couplet, otherwise a pattern of abab, cdcd, etc- 5 feet in each line, 10 syllables--- BUT I don't get the stressed-unstressed thing. AT ALL. So please, lable what is stressed and unstressed in this poem- I don't know if I'm right. And if you have any suggestions how to fix it so that it works right, please add that in also. Thank you so much- greatly appreciated.

Perfect Mate

To find a mate perfect in every hope
Would be to find the mate who keeps distinct
His peaceful way, always willing to cope-
Supportive, considerate, doubts extinct.
Modestly so, bright in conduct and mind
Such great, with happy oblige, that fun guy
Would be the mate of which I’d grin to find.
Thoughtful, open-minded, he’d at least try.

Yet, he’d know and accept all of his flaws,
With good morals, he’d aim to fix mistakes.
He would identify the effect from the cause,
To try to fix something before it breaks.
With such perfection so hard to resist,
Heartbroken be I when he doesn’t exist!

Answer 1

this is actually quite a witty piece. it is good to see someone who realises that just because a sonnet is an exercise it can still be a piece of meaningful language.



your pentameters were bearable - nothing there that was actually wrong - but if you want it to run a little smoother try:







To find a mate perfect in every hope

Would be to find the mate who keeps distinct

His peaceful way, willing always to cope-

Considerate, supportive, doubts extinct.

And modest too; bright in conduct and mind

[Such great, with happy oblige, that fun guy

(i don't understand this line)]

Would be the mate I’d grin if I could find:

Thoughtful and open-minded, (well,he’d try).



Yet, he’d know and accept all of his flaws,

With moral strength he’d aim to fix mistakes.

He'd differentiate effect from cause,

And always fix a thing before it breaks.



Such neat perfection; so hard to resist:

I'm heartbroken my man doesn’t exist!



maybe this smooths out the metre too much for you - only you can be the judge of that.



feel free to mix and match to get the texture that suits you best.

Answer 2

Stress - Here are some two-syllable words with stress on the first syllable. Nation. Parking. Hopeful.



These have stress on the second syllable. Beside. Until. Forget.



I like your poem a lot, and you're clearly trying hard (not just using YA to get someone else to do your homework). So -

your first line is stressed thus:



To FIND a MATE PERfect in EVery HOPE. Stresses on syllables 2, 4, 5, 8 &10. You can get it to stress properly if you pronunce perFECT with the emphasis on the second syllable; but that sounds odd. If I may make so bold, why not try -



To find a mate who matches every hope.



Then -



Would be to find the mate who keeps distinct

His peaceful way; who always tries to cope -

Supports and comforts; all his doubts extinct.

With modest conduct; bright in thought and mind

A great, obliging, cool, fun-loving guy

He'd be the mate I'd dearly love to find;

Quite open-minded; game all things to try.



He'd know, unblushing, all his little flaws,

With morals good, he'd aim to fix mistakes.

Identify, he would, effect and cause,

And try to fix a thing before it breaks.

With such perfection, him I can't resist;

My heart is broken; he does not exist.





Read it out loud several times; you should feel that it has a rhythm of its own. Te-tum, te-tum, te-tum etc.



Don't take my version without thinking it through. I really do like what you've done, or I'd never have bothered to try and help.



And please let us know what version your finally decide on.

Answer 3

here's my little tutorial. I had difficulty grasping this concept, too, so I hope I can help!

As you know, shakespeare's sonnets are in (iambic) pentameter. Pentameter refers to the number of feet. this sonnets use five feet. this is because there are 10 syllables in each line. you divide the number of syllables per line by two and get the foot.

now, as for stresses and unstresses. As you know, he uses iambic. (unstressed stressed) It sounds simple: the first syllable is UNSTRESSEd, the second STRESSED, and so on so forth for each line in the poem. Now, here are some examples.

the word "again" is a natural iamb. Say it out loud. "a" (coming out "uh") is the "weaker" sound, while "gain" is more accentuated. Another way to put it: the "a", when spoken, naturally comes out on a lower octive in your voice while the "gain" is higher. Get it?

So, here's another example of an iamb with two words in the sonnet above: "he would"; he sounds "weaker", while "would" is the more dictated syllable.

The opposite of an iamb is a trachee. Trachees are stressed/unstressed. There are also other variations.

Answer 4

How approximately writing a sonnet approximately writing your form of poetry. communicate relating to the type you like writing the sarcy dark form of poetry, then it provides an ironic twist in itself. you ought to use your pen as a definite concentration to love or some ingredient like that. If it relatively is a few ingredient you prefer to do, then it suits the bill, and additionally caters on your form of trend. yet i comprehend what you advise, Shakespearean sonnets are a discomfort in the a$$ with out could desire to install writing your man or woman. good fulfillment!