Sonnet Notes

Takes notes over pages 310-311, 324-25, and 334-35 in your text book.

Sonnets“little song”

The Sonnet Form

a lyrical poem consisting of 14 lines usually having one of several conventional rhyme schemes

The BREVITY of the form favors concentrated expression of idea or passion.

What is the subject matter/theme of sonnets? LOVE – usually unrequited / inaccessible

TWO Groupings: Petrarchan English

Petrarchan – The Italian Sonnet

Petrarch was an Italian poet who created the sonnet in 14th century. These love poems were addressed to Laura who remained totally indifferent to him.

Surrey & Wyatt: share the credit for introducing the form to England

Petrarchan Structure:

Fourteen lines One set of eight lines = octave One set of six lines = sestet

Octave: describes the situationSestet: describes a change in the situation Turn (Volta): name given to the change in

the situationRhyme scheme: abbaabba cdecde

Octave Sestet

English Sonnets: Shakespearean & Spenserian

Both types: use iambic

pentameter have three 4-lines

stanzas (quatrain) conclude with a

couplet

The theme is usually found in the concluding couplet and sums up the poet’s message

The three quatrains express related ideas and/or examples

Spenserian: developed by Edmund

Spenser rhyme scheme: abab

bcbc cdcd ee

Shakespearean: developed by William

Shakespeare rhyme scheme: abab

cdcd efef gg

Other terminology

Metaphorical Conceit: a fanciful and elaborate figure of speech that makes a surprising connection between two seemingly dissimilar things.

Eternizing Conceit: Idea of making someone immortal through writing.

Annotation Guide

1. Verse form a. Meter b. Rhyme Scheme2. Vocabulary3. Write a summary of the poem4. Literary Devices5. Theme