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

Table of Contents

• 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 Key Themes

This thesis aims to explore the use of the blazon in Shakespeare's sonnets, examining how it differs from its traditional application. It seeks to answer the central question: How does Shakespeare utilize the blazon in his sonnets in comparison to its conventional use? Through intertextual analysis, the study will focus on Shakespeare's representation of the Young Man and the Dark Woman, contrasting these with the traditional use of the blazon. The thesis will delve into the concepts of "topos" and "blazon" and explore the characteristics and traditional uses of the topos through examples from notable poets and works.

• The blazon as a topos in Renaissance literature.
• Shakespeare's use of the blazon in his sonnets.
• Comparison of the blazon in Shakespeare's sonnets to its traditional use.
• The role of the Young Man and the Dark Woman in Shakespeare's sonnets.
• Analysis of the counter-blazon in Shakespeare's sonnets.

Chapter Summaries

The first chapter introduces the topic of the thesis and provides background information on the blazon and its historical context. Chapter two offers a detailed analysis of the topos of the blazon, exploring its origins, characteristics, and key examples from medieval and Renaissance literature.

Keywords

This thesis explores the topos of blazon in Renaissance literature, particularly its use in Shakespeare's sonnets. Key themes include the representation of beauty, the contrasting portrayals of the Young Man and the Dark Woman, and the evolution of the blazon from traditional forms. Other key concepts include intertextuality, courtly love, and the role of poetic imagery and language.