Poets of the Renaissance

1. How do you understand the French poetry of the Renaissance? Please discuss some of
the poems you have read for this class to answer this question.

2. Chose a love poem of each of the three Renaissance poets we have discussed in class.
Compare and contrast them. How are they similar? How are they different? Which one
is the one you prefer and why?

3. According to several critics of the Renaissance, the French poets of this period are
celebrating life and love in their poems. Do you agree with this view? Please illustrate
your answer by referring to some of the poems of this period you have read for this
class.

4. Compare and contrast at least two poets of the Renaissance. Use some of their poems
to illustrate your answer.

5. Write a sonnet in answer to one the poems from the Renaissance. Discuss (1) how you
conceived your sonnet, (2) how you choose the poem which that inspired you, (3) what
made you write your poem the way you did, and (4) what you wanted to express in your
poem.

6. Compare and contrast the sonnets “When I Catch Sight…” and “I live, I die …” by Louise
Labé. How does she present the theme of love in her two poems? How does she
structure her sonnets to get stunning effects in these two poems? How are her sonnets
different from those by Pierre de Ronsard and Joachim du Bellay which we have in this
class?

7. Literary critics describe Joachim du Bellay’s work as “poetry of regrets.” Choose two of
the three poems of du Bellay, discuss them, compare them and contrast them, and
explain your understanding of du Bellay’s “poetry of regrets”.

8. Why is Pierre de Ronsard often called the “poet of the rose”? Discuss the two poems by
Ronsard that we have read in this class, explain the role of the rose in the sonnets and
also show they illustrate the spirit of the Renaissance.