Click here to listen to Alan Neal from CBC’s All in a Day interview the winner of the Shakespeare400 sonnet competition!!
University of Ottawa amateur sonnet-writing competition
As part of the University of Ottawa’s celebrations of “Shakespeare’s Afterlife” marking the 400th anniversary of his death, the organizers of “Shakespeare 400” invite you to try your hand at a Shakespearean sonnet on a Canadian theme. First-time sonneteers are warmly welcomed!
Win cash! First prize: $300. Two runners-up: $100 each (Okay, it’s not that much cash, but still….). All finalists will be invited to read their sonnets at a Shakespeare-themed evening of poetry reading and fun.
All entries must include name and University of Ottawa student or employee number with the declaration that the submission is original work, never before published. All entries must be submitted by e-mail to the organizers at sonnet.competition@uottawa.ca
Here are a couple of examples to whet your appetite. Pretty silly, eh? Anyone can do it!
Sonnet on a Caesar Tomato juice and essence of the clam, -Anon. |
“The Bard in a Winter Wonderland” or “SNOW Is a Four-Letter Word”
What country’s this, that these mine eyes behold? - Anon. |
Rules:
1. Sonnets must be in true Shakespearean style—that is, iambic pentameter with a traditional sonnet rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Using modern English vocabulary, though, is fine: “thees” and “thous” not required.
2. Participation is open to the entire University of Ottawa community, including students in all disciplines, professors, and staff. As this is an amateur competition, please refrain from entering if you write poetry (or other literary genres) for a living.
3. Sonnets must be in some way related to Canadian themes, contexts, or settings: literary, social, historical, political, environmental, etc.
4. Entrants may submit one sonnet only. Sonnets must not be previously published.
Deadline EXTENDED: All submissions must be received by February 14, 2016.
Judging: The entries will be reviewed by a panel of experts, including Shakespeare specialists and published authors. Names will be removed from the entries prior to review by the panel. The decision of the panel will be final.