Advanced Placement Poetry Sample
Prompts
Origins ("Sonnet 169", "Sonnet 292", "The King James Bible", “Psalm 23: A
Psalm of David”)

In “The King James Bible” and “Psalm 23: A Psalm of David,” God is described as the origin of
love. Compare and contrast the love described in the poems above to the love that Petrarch
illustrates toward his lover in “Sonnet 169” and “Sonnet 292”. Utilize the language, imagery, and
symbols to answer your prompt.
Hormonal (“ Passionate Shepherd”, “Nymph’s Reply”, “To His Coy Mistress”,
“My Lute Awake”)

Carpe Diem is a Latin philosophy which is translated as “Seize the Day”. In Robert Herrick’s “To
the Virgins,” the speaker emphasizes how individuals should utilize his/her time while at their
prime rather than waiting for something to happen. Discuss the similarities between “ Passionate
Shepherd”, “Nymph’s Reply”, “To His Coy Mistress”, and “My Lute Awake” and explain how the
idea of Carpe Diem is prevalent throughout each poem. Refer to the poems usage of imagery,
tone, mood, and language.
Rejection ("Sonnet 30")

In “Fire and Ice,” Spenser brings about a paradoxical idea of love. Identify the truths in his
seemingly contradictory statements and describe how the narrator’s feeling of rejection contrasts
that of typical emotions (e.g. depression and grief). Refer to the literary devices used in the
sonnet, such as tone and imagery.
Metaphysical (“Holy Sonnet 10” and “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning”)

Metaphysical is the philosophy that concerns the explanation of the supernatural world. Describe
how John Donne incorporates metaphysical ideas by personifying death in “Holy Sonnet 10” and
“A Valediction Forbidding Mourning”. Discuss his utilization of symbols and imagery and how it
adds a dark tone and setting to the poems.
Twisted ("Sonnet 130")

In William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130,” the narrator strays away from the typical description that
one would expect when describing one’s love. How did the narrator describe his twisted feelings
towards his mistress? Compare and contrast Shakespeare’s feelings toward his mistress to how
romantics would describe their lovers. Discuss Shakespeare’s use of language, mood, and tone.
Romance (One Monsieur’s Departure”, “Sonnet 75”, “Sonnet 29”, “Sonnet 116”)

In “One Monsieur’s Departure”, “Sonnet 75”, “Sonnet 29”, and “Sonnet 116,” each poem
describes the enduring nature of love. Explain how each of the protagonist show that the
unrequited feelings of love affected each author and their reactions to these romantic
feelings. Compare and contrast the symbol of their affections and their ideal of what love is.
Refer to literary structures and symbols that each character uses in their poem.
Chivalry (“To Lucasta, Going To The Wars”)

In “To Lucasta, Going To The Wars” by Lovelace, the author creates a setting where the
protagonist is left between fighting in war or staying with his love. Compare and contrast the
narrator’s loyalty to the code of chivalry by fighting in war and for his love. How does the
protagonist’s character emphasize the meaning of chivalry in his address? Refer to literary
devices and techniques such as imagery and motifs.
Loss (“On My First Son” by Jonson and “When I Consider How My Light Is
Spent”)

In “On My First Son” by Jonson and “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” by Milton, the
authors both experienced a loss in their poems. Discuss the tone and feelings of each protagonist
as a result of their great loss.How did they express the effects of their loss and explain the
epiphanies that they experienced. Utilize the following literary devices: point-of-view, imagery,
and tone.