How to Revise Sonnet 43 — WJEC GCSE English Literature
Sonnet 43 is a topic in the WJEC GCSE English Literature specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for Sonnet 43
- Always begin with a thesis that directly addresses the question, using key words from the prompt.
- When writing about structure, pinpoint the volta and explain how it deepens the argument.
- Integrate short, embedded quotations to support every point, rather than long block quotes.
- Use comparative connectives (e.g., 'similarly', 'in contrast') when comparing poems to ensure a cohesive response.
- Manage time to leave 5 minutes for proofreading, checking for accurate spelling of key terms like 'Petrarchan'.
Common Mistakes in Sonnet 43
- Confusing the sonnet form with Shakespearean sonnets and misapplying features like the rhyming couplet.
- Relying solely on paraphrasing the poem rather than analysing its techniques.
- Misinterpreting the religious references as suggesting the speaker's love replaces God, rather than using them metaphorically.
- Failing to identify the shift in tone or argument (volta) at line 9.
Key Marking Points
- Award credit for sustained analysis of the volta and its role in shifting the poem's focus from earthly to spiritual love.
- Reward detailed discussion of specific language choices, e.g., 'depth and breadth and height' as a triadic structure conveying boundlessness.
- Look for accurate use of literary terminology, such as 'iambic pentameter', 'anaphora', and 'hyperbole'.
- Credit linkage to context, such as the secret courtship with Robert Browning, where relevant to the question.
- Reward comparison that explores both similarities and differences in how love is idealised.