Before Reading
Think About What You Know
Think about what you have learned about Petrarchan sonnets. Write down what you expect to find as you read Sonnet 31, a Petrarchan sonnet.
During Reading
Use What You Know as You Read
1. Read the first eight lines of the poem. Write down the main idea of these lines.
2. Continue reading the selection. Write down the main idea of the last six lines. How do the main ideas of the two sections fit together? What is the theme of the poem?
Fix-Up Idea: Refocus on Syntax
Syntax is word order. Elizabethan poetry, like Sonnet 31, often uses word order that differs from what we are used to today. Read each sentence of the poem and try to put words in an order that is more natural to your ear. Once you understand each sentence, go back and reread the selection through silently to get a sense of the rhythm and rhyme of the poem.
After Reading
Discuss What You Learned
Talk with a partner about the main ideas and themes you identified. How does this poem fit the expectations of a Petrarchan sonnet you wrote down in the Before-Reading activity?