CONFLICTS AND CONNECTIONS
45(30)
Topic: Sonnets and Song Writing
Step 1: Answer the following questions:
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What is a sonnet?
What are the rules for writing sonnets?
This website may be of some help:
http://www.sonnets.org/canon.htm
Step 2: Read the background information.
William Shakespeare is one of the most studied playwrights today. He lived during the Renaissance
period, which was characterized by many developments in art, literature, and technology.
Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. His plays are still performed and studied today, and he is
considered the world’s most popular playwright. Shakespeare understood all aspects of humanity, both
good and evil. He was able to bring to life characters from diverse backgrounds and weave them into
believable stories.
As we study Shakespeare today, we are taken with his choice and use of words. Reading Shakespeare is
a challenge because we do not speak in this fashion.
Step 3:
Shakespeare wrote many comedies, tragedies, and sonnets. Find the patterns in Sonnet 29 and discover
the following:
 What is the rhyming pattern?
 What is iambic pentameter?
Sonnet XXVIIII
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heav'n with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate.
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
DURATION: 3 PERIODS
CONFLICTS AND CONNECTIONS
45(30)
Step 4: After reading Sonnet 29, answer the following questions:
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What are the rhyming words? Where do they fall?
Why did Shakespeare change the spelling of happily in line 10?
What is poetic license? Give an example of Shakespeare’s use of it.
What is the message of the sonnet?
What is the rhyming pattern?
What is iambic pentameter?
Step 5: Compose a sonnet by following the rules for writing sonnets. Select a subject and that is of
interest to you.
Topic: Song Writing(Give Me a Beat)
Important: You must have completed Shakespeare’s Sonnets in
order to complete this lesson.
Step 6: You will investigate the values of musical notes and the relationships among notes. The
following Web site offers a good introduction to note duration:
http://www.musictheory.net/
Note duration examples:
Whole note = 4 beats
Half note = 2 beats; 2 half notes = 1 whole note
Quarter note = 1 beat; 4 quarter notes = 1 whole note
Eight note = ½ beat; 2 eighth notes = 1 quarter note
Sixteenth note = ¼ beat; 2 sixteenth notes = 1 eighth note
Step 7:
Math is part of music. You are able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide with musical notes.
Solve the following simple math problems using musical notes:
[an eight note] + [an eighth note] = __________
[an eighth note] + [a quarter note] = __________
[a quarter note] - [an eighth note] = __________
[4 eight notes] + [2 eighth notes] = __________
[3 sixteenth notes] + [1 sixteenth note] = __________
Step 8: Bring in recordings of your favorite song and determine the following:
 The total number of beats in the song
 The rhyme scheme in the song (ex. AA BB CC DD)
DURATION: 3 PERIODS
CONFLICTS AND CONNECTIONS
45(30)
Step 9: Locate the lyrics to your favorite song online. The lyrics might also be included on the cover of
the CD. Try one of the following web sites to help you.
http://lyrics.astraweb.com/
http://www.lyricscafe.com/
 Once you’ve located the lyrics, analyze them. Determine:
o The writer’s message in the song
o The pattern of words that makes the song enjoyable
o Any unique use of language or poetic license that helped the writer make the song work
Step 10: Set your sonnet to music (excluding tone) by applying notes that fit the meter of the
poem.
Closure:
Share your sonnet and song with the class.
DURATION: 3 PERIODS