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What are the characteristics of a shakespearean sonnet?

Characteristics of a Shakespearean Sonnet

1. Form:

- 14 lines

- Iambic pentameter - each line consists of ten syllables, with the strong stresses falling on every second syllable

2. Rhyme scheme:

- ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

3. Themes:

- Love

- Beauty

- Time

- Mortality

- Nature

- Friendship

- Truth

- Deception

- Betrayal

- Revenge

- Honor

- Duty

- Justice

- Power

- Politics

- Religion

- Philosophy

- Music

- Art

- Literature

- Life

- Death

4. Tone:

- Love sonnets: passionate, affectionate, longing, adoring, admiring

- Sonnets about beauty: appreciative, admiring, awestruck

- Sonnets about time: regretful, wistful, philosophical

- Sonnets about mortality: somber, reflective, philosophical, mournful

- Sonnets about nature: admiring, appreciative, idyllic

- Sonnets about friendship: warm, loyal, affectionate, devoted

- Sonnets about truth: earnest, sincere, passionate

- Sonnets about deception: angry, hurt, betrayed, vengeful

- Sonnets about betrayal: angry, hurt, vengeful, resentful

- Sonnets about revenge: angry, vengeful, bitter, violent

- Sonnets about honor: proud, chivalrous, noble, heroic

- Sonnets about duty: loyal, steadfast, dependable, responsible

- Sonnets about justice: righteous, fair, impartial, balanced

- Sonnets about power: ambitious, ruthless, tyrannical, corrupt

- Sonnets about politics: cynical, satirical, subversive

- Sonnets about religion: devout, pious, reverent, humble

- Sonnets about philosophy: thoughtful, contemplative, probing, questioning

- Sonnets about music: harmonious, lyrical, melodic, beautiful

- Sonnets about art: appreciative, admiring, awe-struck, inspired

- Sonnets about literature: learned, erudite, witty, eloquent

- Sonnets about life: celebratory, joyous, exuberant, zestful

- Sonnets about death: mournful, sorrowful, tragic, poignant

5. Language:

- Figurative language

- Puns

- Wordplay

- Allusion

- Metaphor

- Simile

- Personification

- Hyperbole

- Oxymoron

6. Imagery:

- Visual

- Auditory

- Olfactory

- Gustatory

- Tactile

- Kinesthetic

7. Style:

- Formal

- Elevated

- Eloquent

- Ornate

- Elaborate

- Euphuistic

- Baroque

- Rococo

Monologues

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