Here's the rough explication we completed in class of Sonnet 129:
Sonnet 129, by William Shakespeare, explores the feelings associated with lust. The poem addresses the three stages of lust: “had, having, and in quest to have” (10). The speaker describes this desire as “savage” and “murd’rous” (3,4). The consummation is “enjoyed,” but as soon as it is over, it is “despised” (5). This sonnet follows the Shakespearean pattern of three quatrains and a resolution in the couplet. The rhyme scheme is ababcdcdefefgg. The meter is iambic pentameter, with exceptions. The poet utilizes antithesis, parallelism, rapid movement, hunting imagery.
The first line does not use any punctuation, including at the end of the line, so the poem rushes into the second line. The first stop is a semicolon halfway through the second line. The speed of the beginning of the poem mirrors the action portrayed throughout the poem. The second line not only focuses on the “action” in the sonnet, but also utilizes reversal and repetition: “Is lust in action; and till action, lust” (2). The frantic pace continues in lines three and four as the speaker lists the consequences of his lust. Some of these are particularly violent: “murd’rous, bloody, full of blame, / savage” (3-4).
The first paragraph is primarily an overview and big picture. After that, as much as possible, discuss the poem line by line. You're trying to reveal how the author crafts the poem and creates meaning through the craft.
This is an excellent resource for writing a poetry explication from UNC
Another resource on quoting poetry
Sonnet 129, by William Shakespeare, explores the feelings associated with lust. The poem addresses the three stages of lust: “had, having, and in quest to have” (10). The speaker describes this desire as “savage” and “murd’rous” (3,4). The consummation is “enjoyed,” but as soon as it is over, it is “despised” (5). This sonnet follows the Shakespearean pattern of three quatrains and a resolution in the couplet. The rhyme scheme is ababcdcdefefgg. The meter is iambic pentameter, with exceptions. The poet utilizes antithesis, parallelism, rapid movement, hunting imagery.
The first line does not use any punctuation, including at the end of the line, so the poem rushes into the second line. The first stop is a semicolon halfway through the second line. The speed of the beginning of the poem mirrors the action portrayed throughout the poem. The second line not only focuses on the “action” in the sonnet, but also utilizes reversal and repetition: “Is lust in action; and till action, lust” (2). The frantic pace continues in lines three and four as the speaker lists the consequences of his lust. Some of these are particularly violent: “murd’rous, bloody, full of blame, / savage” (3-4).
The first paragraph is primarily an overview and big picture. After that, as much as possible, discuss the poem line by line. You're trying to reveal how the author crafts the poem and creates meaning through the craft.
This is an excellent resource for writing a poetry explication from UNC
Another resource on quoting poetry