Introduction
Different periods of literature imposed particular effects on the structure and themes of specific literary works. Different cultures and countries elaborated their own approaches that differ from others and are unique. This essay will examine the peculiarities of the Harlem Renaissance and the role of sonnets as its primary component. Particular attention will be paid to the comparison among three sonnets by different authors. Despite the cultural aspect, the sonnets by Francesco Petrarch align with the traditions of sonnet writing and express extreme feelings and the author’s sentiments.
The Period of Harlem Renaissance and Sonnets
The sonnets of the Harlem Renaissance can be characterized by particular topics related to the period. Specifically, the Harlem Renaissance is illustrated by the significant migration of people (Mays 1090). As Mays states, “around the end of World War I, Black Americans relocated in large numbers from the South to the North” (1090).
Many literary works, including novels, were devoted to these happenings while depicting specific problems and circumstances. With the height of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, this period also imposed a significant impact on sonnets, such as Claude McKay’s sonnet “If We Must Die” (Mays 1094). Consequently, these facts are crucial when exploring particular sonnets and comparing them.
Sonnet Characteristics
Before comparing specific sonnets from the Harlem Renaissance, it is crucial to establish a framework of the poetry’s specific qualities, according to which the comparison will proceed. First, it is crucial to note that the sonnet is fourteen lines long and assumes the use of iambic pentameter, which is the structure of unstressed and stressed syllables in each foot (Mays 989). Therefore, the length of the sonnet and the type of stressing will be the crucial components of sonnet exploration.
Then, one should consider the content of this literature, which is focused on the intensity of feelings and expressions that align with the author’s demanding context (Mays 989). In addition, it is essential to compare sonnets while considering their rhyme scheme. The classic structure will depict the scheme of a-b-a-b for the English sonnets, which means that the rhyme will occur with the alternation of quatrains’ rhyme scheme (Malech and Smith 45). However, this characteristic can vary depending on the country and culture in which the sonnet was written. Consequently, these aspects will be incorporated into the discovery and comparison of the chosen sonnets.
Francesco Petrarch’s Sonnet
For the first sonnet, the Italian literary piece by Petrarch, Upon the Breeze She Spread Her Golden Hair, was chosen. It is exciting to consider this sonnet, as it represents the peculiarities of different cultures’ approaches. First, the most significant issue is the rhyme scheme. The author uses the alternation a-b-b-a-a-b-b-a, which is common for the Italian sonnets (Mays 989). Moreover, one should pay attention to the number of lines and their structuring. Specifically, Petrarch incorporates the first two quatrains, each with eight lines, and two parts of the sonnet, each with three lines, for a total of six lines.
Then, it is crucial to explore the sonnet’s theme and the author’s intentions. The description of significant feelings that arise in the author’s heart toward the beauty of the woman is a clear example of the high extension of sentiments that are often implemented in this type of literature. According to Mays, “she moved not like a mortal, but as though she bore an angel’s form” (990). Therefore, the sonnet by Francesco Petrarch is a typical example of the classic Italian sonnet tradition.
Henry Constable’s and William Shakespeare’s Sonnets
In the sonnet “My Lady’s Presence Makes the Roses Red,” the author, Henry Constable, expresses his feelings toward women. Notably, the sonnet differs from Petrarch’s in its structure. It has no parts, and all lines are constructed together.
In addition, among other classic sonnets, it is essential to compare William Shakespeare’s My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun. The author uses a specific rhyme structure: three lines per part, nine lines per part, and three lines per part. However, the structure is based on the rhyme of a-b-a-b-a-b-a-b. Therefore, when comparing all three sonnets, one should note that despite their differences in structure, the authors share a common theme: an expression of profound love for a specific woman.
Different Approaches and Thematic Concerns
Authors from different cultures use different methods to write sonnets. One should state that a particular rhyme scheme contributes to the creation of a specific atmosphere in the literary work. As in the example with Petrarch’s sonnet, the scheme of a-b-b-a-a-b-b-a allows the author to compose an extended rhyme while combining two parts. It is crucial to have the opportunity to incorporate additional adjectives and descriptions when expressing complex feelings, such as love and sympathy, toward women. Therefore, different structures, rhyme schemes, workings, and other aspects influence the thematic concerns of the sonnet by allowing the author to focus on concrete feelings and expressions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is crucial to state that many aspects influenced the method and the structure that were used during the writing of the particular sonnet. Different cultures, such as English and Italian, create sonnets with similar emotional and expressive qualities but with significantly different structures. Consequently, it is crucial to attentively explore the peculiarities of each sonnet from the Prisma, the cultural background of the author, and the period when it was written.
Works Cited
Malech, Dora, & Smith, Laura. The American Sonnet: An Anthology of Poems and Essays. University of Iowa Press, 2023.
Mays, Kelly. The Norton Introduction to Literature (14th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company, 2022.