Lecture 13: Homework
Poetry: Translate the Prologue into Modern English (14 Lines)
Homework
Typed or Handwritten
14 Line Poem / Sonnet Rhyme Scheme / 10 Syllables per Line
Please write your own 14 line modern translation of the Prologue from Romeo and Juliet. We have already
done a close reading of each line and made our basic translations. Now, your job is to make it fit the form of a
sonnet! These sonnets should…
1) Be true to the meaning of the Prologue—but of course change meaning in the process of translation.
2) Meet all the conventions of a sonnet—14 Lines, Proper Rhyme Scheme, 10 Syllables Per Line
3) Include a short analysis that explains the sonnet’s Problem, Extended Problem, Turn, and Resolution.
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE
Express Lane (A Love Sonnet in a Supermarket)
1. O, bag my heart, you check out lady fair,
2. With soft and supple hands of pure delight,
3. And bring it home with m' other grocery fare—
4. A rose, champagne, and wicks for candlelight.
A Rhyme (fair)
B Rhyme (delight)
A Rhyme (fare)
B Rhyme (candlelight)
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
5. With them, I bring a secret to confess—
6. Or will my love remain unspoken?
7. Would you reject with "ten items or less"
8. My unending gift of love's sweet tokens?
C Rhyme (confess)
D Rhyme (unspoken)
C Rhyme (less)
D Rhyme (tokens)
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
9. Please hold so firm and tight my fruit! My gourd!
10. O, scan my can of beans! O, check its price!
11. But most of all, direct your scanner towards
12. This twinkling barcode fixed within my eyes.
E Rhyme (gourd)
F Rhyme (price)
E Rhyme (towards)
F Rhyme (eyes)
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
10 syllables
13. Alas—for love, express lanes were not meant.
14. For sooth, self-checkout is more convenient.
G Rhyme (meant)
G Rhyme (convenient)
10 syllables
10 syllables
Problem: A man is in love with the checkout lady at the grocery store, but she does not know it. He brings her
romantic items to give her a hint, but it has never been enough (Quatrain 1).
Extended Problem: The man is too shy to speak out loud what he is thinking. He is too afraid of rejection to
take a real risk (Quatrain 2).
The Turn: The action of sonnet comes during the turn, when a possible solution to the problem arises. In this
case, the man starts to think more recklessly as she scans his food items. It is unclear whether he brings to
yell these thoughts out loud or if his thoughts are still all in his head (Quatrain 3).
Resolution: The man decides that “express lanes” where he would “express” his feelings are too much work
and decides to use the self-checkout instead. The sonnet ends on a defeated note (Quatrain 4).
Below is the template we used to analyze the sonnet as a whole class. If you were present in class, then you
should have this translation. If you do not, then please use an online dictionary to research the meanings and
check your assumptions against No Fear Shakespeare’s modern translation. Do not, however, copy and paste
No Fear Shakespeare’s work. I would like you to write your own original translation.
Ln 1
Quatrain 1: Introduce the Problem
Original Line
Your Translation
Two households, both alike in dignity,
households =
dignity =
Ln 2
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
Fair =
Verona =
Ln 3
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
ancient =
grudge =
mutiny =
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
civil (meaning #1) =
civil (meaning #2) =
Ln 4
Ln 5
Ln 6
Quatrain 2: Expand the Problem
Original Line
Your Translation
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
forth =
fatal =
lions =
foes =
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Star-crossed =
Ln 7
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
misadventured =
piteous =
overthrows =
Ln 8
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
strive =
Ln 9
Quatrain 3: Attempt to Solve Problem
Original Line
Your Translation
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
passage =
death-marked =
Ln 10
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
continuance =
Ln 11
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
end =
nought =
Ln 12
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
Traffic =
Ln 13
Ln 14
Ending Couplet: Resolve the Problem
Original Line
Your Translation
The which if you with patient ears attend,
patient =
attend =
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
toil =
strive =
mend =