SonnetsSonnets

Basic Sonnet Characteristics:Basic Sonnet Characteristics:

14 lines14 lines Lyrical in nature, intense emotions/feelingsLyrical in nature, intense emotions/feelings Iambic pentameterIambic pentameter Specific rhyme scheme/structure Specific rhyme scheme/structure

(Shakespearean, Spenserian, Petrarchan)(Shakespearean, Spenserian, Petrarchan)

Italian (Petrarchan) SonnetItalian (Petrarchan) Sonnet

Original form of sonnets-began in 14Original form of sonnets-began in 14thth centurycentury

Two parts:Two parts: Octave (first 8 lines)Octave (first 8 lines) Sestet (last 6 lines)Sestet (last 6 lines)

Octave rhyme scheme: Octave rhyme scheme: abba abbaabba abba Presents an idea, story, or poses a questionPresents an idea, story, or poses a question

Sestet rhyme scheme: Sestet rhyme scheme: generallygenerally cdc dcdcdc dcd Comments on idea/story or answers questionComments on idea/story or answers question

English (Shakespearean) Sonnet:English (Shakespearean) Sonnet:

Introduced to England in 16Introduced to England in 16 thth century by Sir century by Sir Thomas Wyatt, but further developed (by Thomas Wyatt, but further developed (by changing the rhyme scheme for the rhyme-poor changing the rhyme scheme for the rhyme-poor English language) by Henry Howard, Earl of English language) by Henry Howard, Earl of SurreySurrey

3 Quatrains (4-line stanzas)3 Quatrains (4-line stanzas) Rhyme scheme: Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efefabab cdcd efef

1 Couplet (last two lines)1 Couplet (last two lines) Rhyme scheme: Rhyme scheme: gggg

Generally, 1Generally, 1stst Quatrain introduces an idea, 2 Quatrain introduces an idea, 2ndnd Quatrain complicates it, 3Quatrain complicates it, 3rdrd complicates it further, complicates it further, and Couplet resolves itand Couplet resolves it

Spenserian Sonnet:Spenserian Sonnet:

Same as English (Shakespearean) sonnetSame as English (Shakespearean) sonnet 3 Quatrains3 Quatrains 1 Couplet1 Couplet

Difference: interlocking rhyme schemeDifference: interlocking rhyme scheme abab bcbc cdcd eeabab bcbc cdcd ee