How Structure Affects Sonnet 73 Essays

How Structure Affects Sonnet 73 Essays How Structure Affects Sonnet 73 Paper How Structure Affects Sonnet 73 Paper In William Shakespeares Sonnet 73 we are told of a story of everlasting love despite the frigid reality of life coming to an end. Shakespeare uses metaphors throughout the poem to refer back to the speaker gradually reaching the end of his life so we are instantly aware of the speakers thoughts. He not only uses metaphors to deeply convey his message to the audience but he uses the structure of the sonnet itself. There are multiple examples of the use of structure to convey Shakespeares message of continuous, eternal love: the recitation of one continuous stanza, enjambment, lack f full stops, repeating syllables, an alternate rhyme scheme, and lastly the use of emphasizing optimism through repetition and indentation. These are evident throughout the poem and continuously enhance its meaning. This sonnet takes the reader through an emotional and scarily realistic portrayal of a persons Journey through life. It tells a story of unconditional love and allows the reader a sense of contentment. It comforts them in the thought that this kind of love is attainable. By definition a sonnet is a fixed poetic form, consisting of 14 lines (Holman, Snyder 3). It s a form of poetry used by Shakespeare for love poetry. So instantly we gather that the poem will be a story of love. It is established early in the poem that the speaker is referring to his elderly age and how he is possibly at the end of his Journey that on the ashes of his youth doth lie (Shakespeare). Drawing a direct comparison to autumn when yellow leaves, or now, or few, do hang (Shakespeare) shows that like the autumn leaves his life is ending and everything is metaphorically speaking turning black like the twilight of such day (Shakespeare). It then refers to the peakers lover understanding their troubles and instead of allowing their love to die too, it grows stronger despite the speaker not being around for much longer this thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long. (Shakespeare). Overall, Shakespeare uses metaphors that are relatable to the reader to allow us to fully grasp the speakers realisation of his elderly decline. The structure of the poem is crucial to its meaning, or in this case the potential lack of it. This sonnet consists of one continuous stanza that can be directly orrelated back to the idea of the speakers continuous love. Just because the speaker is dying it doesnt mean their love will die with him . Their love is real and will continue on after theyre gone. Another example of this is how Shakespeare uses enjambment throughout the sonnet. It flows from one line to the next almost seamlessly and is broken up by a full stop only four times throughout its entirety. The lack of full stops in the poem accentuates the continuous flow and again enhances the meaning of the poem. Another way the structure enhances the meaning of the poem is by repeating syllables. In all 14 lines of the poem there are 10 syllables in every one. It doesnt once vary. Throughout the poem there is no change, Just like the speakers love. This never changing love builds on the continuous idea that was established earlier. Even something as substantially life altering as death, means nothing for this couple and that is the most empowering message in this poem. A great deal of Sonnet 73 has a very cynical take on life Deaths second self, that seals up all in rest. (Shakespeare). But in the final two lines we see a light at the end isnt as demoralizing as the beginning of this poem makes out. Yes, death is a sad and scary prospect but it is something that we all come to accept. Love on the other hand is the power of the spirit. It allows you to feel a depth of happiness no other emotion can allow you to feel. So it only makes sense that Shakespeare elaborates on this emotion by using an alternate rhyme scheme. It creates an almost song like effect in the poem which in turn is associated with happiness and often tales of love. Shakespeare used two different ways to show there are only small bursts of optimistic happiness in this sonnet. The poem is broken up by a phrase that is epeated twice In me thou seest (Shakespeare). Both times this phrase leads onto the lover trying to show the speaker the good she still sees in him. The speaker then returns back to the cynical mood of the sonnet. Shakespeare then restores all of the readers faith in love by finishing the somber tale with two lines This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long (Shakespeare). These two lines are so important to the overall message of the story. They ensure the reader that there is a chance of everlasting love and that it is attainable. Because of its importance the two lines have been indented to draw attention away from the dismal story and emphasise the ending message. In this sonnet we read of a story that we all hope one day we ourselves will have the privilege of experiencing: an everlasting love. Shakespeare enhances his message of this love through the structure of this poem. The use of one stanza, enjambment, lack of full stops, repeating syllables, an alternate rhyme scheme and emphasizing optimism through repetition and indentation all reinforce the idea of continuous, never changing love and accentuate the emotions that can come with that.

Battle of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War

Battle of Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War The climatic naval battle of the Spanish-American War, the Battle of Santiago de Cuba resulted in a decisive victory for the US Navy and the complete destruction of the Spanish squadron. Anchored in Santiago harbor in southern Cuba, Spanish Admiral Pascual Cerveras six ships found themselves blockaded by the US Navy in the late spring of 1898. With the advance of American forces ashore, Cerveras position became untenable and on July 3 he attempted to escape with his squadron. Cervera was soon intercepted by American battleships and cruisers under Rear Admiral William T. Sampson and Commodore William S. Schley. In a running battle, the superior American firepower reduced Cerveras ships to burning wrecks. The loss of Cerveras squadron effectively cut off Spanish forces in Cuba. Situation Prior to July 3 Following sinking of USS Maine and the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States on April 25, 1898, the Spanish government dispatched a fleet under Admiral Pascual Cervera to defend Cuba. Though Cervera was against such a move, preferring to engage the Americans near the Canary Islands, he obeyed and after evading the US Navy arrived at Santiago de Cuba in late May. On May 29, Cerveras fleet was spotted in the harbor by Commodore Winfield S. Schleys Flying Squadron. Two days later, Rear Admiral William T. Sampson arrived with the US North Atlantic Squadron and after taking overall command began a blockade of the harbor. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, USN. US Naval History and Heritage Command Commanders Fleets US North Atlantic Squadron - Rear Admiral William T. Sampson Armored Cruiser USS New York (flagship)Battleship USS Iowa (BB-4)Battleship USS Indiana (BB-1)Battleship USS Oregon (BB-3)Armed Yacht Gloucester US Flying Squadron - Commodore Winfield Scott Schley Armored Cruiser USS Brooklyn (flagship)Battleship USS TexasBattleship USS Massachusetts (BB-2)Armed Yacht USS Vixen Spanish Caribbean Squadron - Admiral Pascual Cervera Armored Cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa (flagship)Armored Cruiser Almirante OquendoArmored Cruiser VizcayaArmored Cruiser Cristobal ColonTorpedo Boat Destroyer PlutonTorpedo Boat Destroyer Furor Cervera Decides to Break Out While at anchor in Santiago, Cerveras fleet was protected by the heavy guns of the harbor defenses. In June, his situation became more tenuous following the landing of American troops up the coast at Guantnamo Bay. As the days passed, Cervera waited for inclement weather to scatter the blockade so that he could escape the harbor. Following the American victories at El Caney and San Juan Hill on July 1, the admiral concluded that he would have to fight his way out before the city fell. He decided to wait until 9:00 AM on Sunday July 3, hoping to catch the American fleet while it conducting church services (Map). Spanish Navy armored cruisers Cristà ³bal Colà ³n (left) and Vizcaya. US Naval History and Heritage Command The Fleets Meet On the morning of July 3, as Cervera was preparing to break out, Adm. Sampson pulled his flagship, the armored cruiser USS New York, out of line to meet with ground commanders at Siboney leaving Schley in command. The blockade was further weakened by the departure of the battleship USS Massachusetts which had retired to coal. Emerging from Santiago Bay at 9:45, Cerveras four armored cruisers steered southwest, while his two torpedo boats turned southeast. Aboard the armored cruiser USS Brooklyn, Schley signaled the four battleships still on the blockade to intercept. A Running Fight Cervera began the fight from his flagship, Infanta Maria Teresa, by opening fire on the approaching Brooklyn. Schley led the American fleet towards the enemy with the battleships Texas, Indiana, Iowa, and Oregon in line behind. As the Spaniards steamed by, Iowa hit Maria Teresa with two 12 shells. Not wishing to expose his fleet to fire from the entire American line, Cervera turned his flagship to cover their withdrawal and directly engaged Brooklyn. Taken under heavy fire by Schleys ship, Maria Teresa began to burn and Cervera ordered it run aground. The remainder of Cerveras fleet raced for open water but was slowed by inferior coal and fouled bottoms. As the American battleships bore down, Iowa opened fire on Almirante Oquendo, ultimately causing a boiler explosion that forced the crew to scuttle the ship. The two Spanish torpedo boats, Furor and Pluton, were put out of action by fire from Iowa, Indiana, and the returning New York, with one sinking and the other running aground before exploding. End of Vizcaya At the head of the line, Brooklyn engaged the armored cruiser Vizcaya in an hour-long duel at approximately 1,200 yards. Despite firing over three hundred rounds, Vizcaya failed to inflict significant damage on its adversary. Subsequent studies have suggested that as much as eighty-five percent of the Spanish ammunition used during the battle may have been defective. In response, Brooklyn bludgeoned Vizcaya and was joined by Texas. Moving closer, Brooklyn struck Vizcaya with an 8 shell that caused an explosion setting the ship on fire. Turning for shore, Vizcaya ran aground where the ship continued to burn. Oregon Runs Down Cristobal Colon After more than an hours fighting, Schleys fleet had destroyed all but one of Cerveras ships. The survivor, the new armored cruiser Cristobal Colon, continued fleeing along the coast. Recently purchased, the Spanish Navy did not have time to install the ships primary armament of 10 guns before sailing. Slowed due to engine trouble, Brooklyn was unable to catch the retreating cruiser. This allowed the battleship Oregon, which had recently completed a remarkable voyage from San Francisco in the wars early days, to move forward. Following an hour-long chase Oregon opened fire and forced Colon to run aground. USS Oregon (BB-3). US Naval History and Heritage Command Aftermath The Battle of Santiago de Cuba marked the end of large-scale naval operations in the Spanish-American War. In course of the fighting, Sampson and Schleys fleet lost a miraculous 1 killed (Yeoman George H. Ellis, USS Brooklyn) and 10 wounded. Cervera lost all six of his ships, as well as 323 killed and 151 wounded. In addition, approximately 70 officers, including the admiral, and 1,500 men were taken prisoner. With the Spanish Navy unwilling to risk any additional ships in Cuban waters, the islands garrison was effectively cut off, ultimately dooming them to surrender.