Study Notes
The poem 'Night Sweat' by Robert Lowell is structured using two sonnets, a Shakespearean and a Petrarchan, to explore themes of creative anxiety and personal struggle.
- Form — The poem is composed of two sonnets: a Shakespearean sonnet followed by a Petrarchan sonnet. Example: The Shakespearean sonnet has three quatrains and a couplet, while the Petrarchan sonnet has an octave and a sestet.
- Metre and Rhyme Scheme — The poem uses a loose iambic pentameter with irregular rhyme schemes. Example: The Shakespearean sonnet uses ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, while the Petrarchan sonnet uses ABBA ABBA CDC DCD.
- Speaker — The speaker is a writer experiencing creative anxiety and personal turmoil. Example: The speaker's struggle with writer's block and reliance on his wife's support.
- Setting — The poem is set in a mundane room that transforms into a space of anxiety and surreal imagery. Example: The speaker describes ordinary details like a work-table and books, contrasting with nightmarish imagery.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Shakespearean Sonnet: A 14-line poem with three quatrains and a couplet.
- Petrarchan Sonnet: A 14-line poem with an octave and a sestet.
- Iambic Pentameter: A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Common Confusions
- Confusing the rhyme schemes of Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets.
- Misunderstanding the role of the volta in a Petrarchan sonnet.
Typical Exam Questions
- How does the structure of 'Night Sweat' reflect the speaker's state of mind? The use of two sonnets mirrors the speaker's creative struggle and longing for poetic greatness.
- What role does the setting play in the poem? The mundane setting contrasts with the speaker's intense anxiety and surreal experiences.
- How does Lowell use metre and rhyme to convey the speaker's emotions? The irregular metre and rhyme reflect the speaker's frantic and unstable state.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of sonnet forms and their significance in the poem.
- Analysis of how structure and form contribute to the poem's themes.
- Interpretation of the speaker's emotional journey and its representation through poetic devices.