In this thesis, the central question that will be focused on is: How does Shakespeare use the blazon in his sonnets in comparison to its traditional use? To answer that question, intertextual analyses will examine the topos of the blazon by focusing on Shakespeare’s representation of the Young Man and the Dark Woman in contrast to the traditional use of the blazon. Firstly, the terms ‘topos’ and ‘blazon’ will be explained to clarify the context. Also, the most ideal-typical poets and works will be mentioned to explicate their characteristics and the traditional use of the topos. Secondly, the focus will be on Shakespeare’s sonnets. In this chapter, both the dark woman and the young man will be presented and analysed in their representations in the poems. This thesis aims to answer the question of how the blazon and counter-blazon are represented in Shakespeare’s Sonnets. All texts that will be analysed can be found in the appendix.
Nowadays, when people think of poetry, one might automatically connect it to love. Shakespeare or Spenser might come to mind when thinking about authors or poets. Poetry and especially love poems have specific themes like beauty that reoccur and are present throughout time. Shakespeare’s sonnets contain a variety of poetical themes, such as time, beauty and love.
Beauty is a theme that was popular to assign to women in the Elizabethan Age. In this period, female body parts were described in a detailed and poetic way to emphasise the beauty of the described persona. The description was made using imagery and language that was full of emotions. This poetic technique was named ‘blazon’ and got popularised during the Renaissance by Petrarch’s influence. However, in Shakespeare’s Sonnets, the theme of beauty is dealt with differently.
Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. The Topos of Blazon
2.1 Topos
2.2 Blazon vs Counter-blazon
2.3 Examples of the Blazon
2.3.1 Petrarch (14th century)
2.3.2 Sidney (1591)
2.3.3 Spenser (ca. 1582)
2.3.4 Daniel (1592)
2.4 Examples of the Counter-blazon
2.4.1 Marot (1535)
2.4.2 Skelton (ca. 1550)
3. Shakespeare's Sonnets
3.1 The Young Man
3.2 The Dark Woman
3.3 Sonnet 144
3.4 Comparison
3.5 Interpretation
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This thesis examines how the literary devices of the 'blazon' and the 'counter-blazon' are utilized in Shakespeare's Sonnets compared to their traditional application. It analyzes the intertextual connections between Shakespeare's portrayals of the 'Young Man' and the 'Dark Woman' and traditional Renaissance poetic structures.
- Theoretical definitions of 'topos' and 'blazon' in Renaissance poetry.
- Examination of ideal-typical blazons by Petrarch, Sidney, Spenser, and Daniel.
- Analysis of counter-blazons by Marot and Skelton.
- Shakespeare's subversion of traditional beauty standards.
- The relationship between beauty, morality, and sexuality in the Sonnets.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Blazon vs Counter-blazon
A blazon can be defined as a “coat of arms” or “the proper description or representation of heraldic or armorial bearings” (Merriam-Webster). It is a detailed description of a shield that, with time developed into the definition of an ideal woman. The shields represented families or knightly qualities. The best-known examples of the representation of a shield or coat of arms The Shield of Achilles in The Iliad by Homer or Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The medieval heraldic shields are portrayed from top to bottom with much detail. This technique is called ‘ecphrasis’.
The blazon is a broadly based figurative theme that combines many rhetorical figures, e.g. metaphors, hyperboles and similes (cf. Williams 1999: 45f). It goes hand in hand with the literary and social idea of courtly love because the woman is being idealised. In some cases, the love is a sexually desired one; in others a non-physical but platonic one (cf. Cavanagh et al. 2020). To express that love, the beauty of the female is described in detail. The body parts are often compared to aesthetic things like jewels or nature. The topos of the blazon is a descriptio pulchritudinis.
As mentioned, the blazon became a topos focused on a woman’s appearance. Although this topos was widely used in the Elizabethan Age, it appeared long before in medieval poetry. The beauty of a woman called Alisoun became poetry. Alisoun is described as the most beautiful woman with fair skin, blonde hair, and a tiny waist in one of the Harley poems. The lyrical speaker cannot sleep and suffers because of Alisoun’s beauty that is sent from heaven (cf. Luria and Hoffmann 1974: 23). Another example of medieval poetry is Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. In its prologue, the Prioress, Madame Eglentine, is described as having a well-formed nose and grey eyes. She has red lips and fair skin (cf. Chaucer 2014: 26).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the central research question regarding Shakespeare's unique usage of the blazon in contrast to its traditional context.
2. The Topos of Blazon: Explains fundamental literary terms and explores classical examples of traditional blazons and counter-blazons.
3. Shakespeare's Sonnets: Provides an analytical focus on the Young Man and the Dark Woman, examining how these figures are portrayed through intertextual analysis.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes how Shakespeare deviates from traditional blazon conventions and integrates topics like homosexuality to challenge ideal beauty standards.
Keywords
Blazon, Counter-blazon, Shakespeare's Sonnets, Topos, Renaissance, Petrarch, Courtly Love, Young Man, Dark Woman, Intertextuality, Beauty Standards, Rhetoric, Metaphor, Homosexuality, Poetic Convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis explores the traditional literary technique of the 'blazon' (and its opposite, the 'counter-blazon') and analyzes how William Shakespeare adapts these tools within his Sonnet cycle.
What are the central thematic fields?
The primary themes include the representation of gender, ideal beauty standards of the Renaissance, the contrast between platonic and sexualized love, and intertextual literary criticism.
What is the primary research question?
The work investigates how Shakespeare utilizes the blazon in his Sonnets compared to traditional usage, specifically addressing the representations of his 'Young Man' and 'Dark Woman' figures.
Which scientific methodology is used?
The author employs an intertextual analysis, comparing Shakespeare's poems against traditional examples from poets like Petrarch, Spenser, and Daniel, as well as medieval texts.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part covers the definition of the blazon, an analysis of the 'Young Man' as an idealized religious figure, and the portrayal of the 'Dark Woman' as an antithetical, earthly being.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Blazon, Counter-blazon, Shakespeare, Renaissance, Petrarchan ideals, and Intertextuality.
How does Shakespeare's portrayal of the 'Dark Woman' differ from the Petrarchan ideal?
While the Petrarchan blazon emphasizes ethereal beauty and divine grace, Shakespeare’s 'Dark Woman' is portrayed as an ordinary, imperfect being with flaws, subverting the expectations of angelic beauty.
Why are the 'Young Man' and the 'Dark Woman' assigned different poetic values?
The analysis shows that the Young Man is elevated to a saint-like or prophetic status through traditional beauty standards, whereas the Dark Woman is described as a 'counter-blazon' that rejects these unreachable or parody-worthy ideals.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2022, Blazon and Counter-blazon in Shakespeare's Sonnets. The Usage of the Blazon in Comparison to its Traditional Use, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1302186
