Blazon and Counter-blazon in Shakespeare's Sonnets. The Usage of the Blazon in Comparison to its Traditional Use

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

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.