William Shakespeare
RL 7.5 - Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure contributes to its meaning.
RI.7.4- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice
on meaning and tone.
W.7.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts,
and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Name _________________________________________________________________________________________
Please go to http://mrnussbaum.com/united-kingdom/william_shakespeare/
Skim through this- you don’t have to read every word, but look over the important parts.
After skimming through the biography of William Shakespeare, jot down some notes about
him and his life below. These will be the topics you can discuss with your group members.
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Now do a Google Search for the poem “Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare”. Read this poem.
You may need to read it a few times to understand the meaning. Ask your team captain to
look up words you don’t understand, and ask them to help you if needed.
Here is a summary of the poem, “Sonnet 18”.
The speaker begins by asking whether he should or will compare "thee" to a summer day.
He says that his beloved is more lovely and more even-tempered. He then runs off a list of
reasons why summer isn’t all that great: winds shake the buds that emerged in Spring,
summer ends too quickly, and the sun can get too hot or be obscured by clouds.
He goes on, saying that everything beautiful eventually fades by chance or by nature’s
inevitable changes. Coming back to the beloved, though, he argues that his or her summer
(or happy, beautiful years)won’t go away, nor will his or her beauty fade away. Moreover,
death will never be able to take the beloved, since the beloved exists in eternal lines
(meaning poetry). The speaker concludes that as long as humans exist and can see (so as to
read), the poem he’s writing will live on, allowing the beloved to keep living as well.
After reading the poem, you will now write an expository paragraph explaining the
meaning and symbolism of "Sonnet 18”. How does William Shakespeare successfully
use figurative language to develop a theme throughout "Sonnet 18"? Type this in the
Gdoc that your team captain created and shared with you.
When you are done writing your expository paragraph, if another team member is
still working, help them with their paragraph.
When everyone is done with their paragraph, it’s time to have a constructive
conversation. In order to have a constructive conversation, follow the talk norms on
the other side.
(turn over)
1. Everyone listens and respects each other.
2. Everyone has a right and responsibility to contribute.
3. Everyone speaks loud enough for all to hear.
4. Everyone is building on each other's ideas using evidence.
Your team captain will evaluate you during your conversation. Follow the
norms from above, and discuss everything you learned about your poet, the poem
you read, and what you wrote about in your paragraph. Support what you’re saying
with evidence.
Part of being an active member in a conversation is also being a good listener. Listen
to the other group members, and ask higher-level questions to keep the
conversation going. Also, utilize the conversation cards that your team captain gives
you.
If you have any questions ask your team members and team captain. Being able to
work independently, as well as collaboratively with group members, are skills you
will utilize throughout your life. Please take this activity seriously today.