ZOOM-The Sonnet

Join us as we explore one of the most frequently used poetic forms--the Sonnet--and trace the history of these 14-line gems from their beginnings in Italy during the early Renaissance to the modern period.  The second half of the hour will focus on American sonnets of the past two centuries, including Emma Lazarus’s dedication of Lady Liberty to the world’s tired and poor, as well as sonnets by Longfellow, Frost, and Millay. Here are America's Petrarchs and Shakespeares, the masters who, by living within the strictures of the octave and the sestet, found a full voice, enlarged a tradition, and changed the sonnet forever.

Led by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, a retired college professor who taught a variety of Arts and Humanities courses for 32 years at several New York universities and colleges, including St. John's University and Dowling College. He holds a Ph.D. in English, with minors in theater, art history and music history.

Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this event is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. Registration is required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. For more information about this program, please email Rebecca at rrandall@biblio.org or call the reference desk at 203-262-0626 ext 1.