Sonnets

Sonnet

14-line poem written in iambic pentameter

Iambic pentameter=10 syllable lines with a stressed and then unstressed rhythm

Terms Sonnet- 14-line poem written in iambic

pentameter Iambic Pentameter-10-syllable lines with a

stressed and then unstressed beat Stanza- a division in poetry, usually of more

than two lines Sestet-a stanza of six lines in poetry Quatrain- a stanza of four lines in poetry Octave- a stanza of eight lines in poetry Couplet- a stanza of two rhyming lines in

poetry Heroic Couplet- a stanza of two rhyming lines

in poetry written in iambic pentameter

Form Sonnets are divided into two sections

1. Problem/Conflict/Dilemma Presents the theme and raises an issue or

doubt. The problem is not usually a physical

problem, but more a moral or spiritual dilemma

2. Solution/Resolution Answers the question, resolves the problem,

or drives home the poem’s point The transition between part 1 and part 2 is

called the TURN; it helps move forward the emotional action of the poem quickly

Italian Sonnet Named the Petrarchan Sonnet after its

inventor, Francesco Petrarch Generally refers to a concept of

unattainable love Generally depicts the lady as a form of

inspiration Rhyme Scheme= abba abba cde cde

the cde cde pattern varies greatly from sonnet to sonnet; other common sestet forms are cde dce and cdc dcd

Italian Sonnet

The conflict or problem is developed in the first 8 lines Referred to as the Octave

The Solution/resolution is presented in the last 6 lines Referred to as the Sestet

English Sonnet

Named after William Shakespeare, the most prolific sonnet writer of all time

Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, a collection called his Sonnet Sequence

Shakespeare’s Sonnet Sequence Shakespeare’s sonnets are divided into

the following sections: 1-17—written to a young man, urging him to

marry and have children so he can pass his beauty on to successive generations

18-126—addressed to the young man, expressing his love for him (Sonnets 1-126 are referred to as the Fair Youth sonnets)

127-152-written to the poet’s mistress, expressing his love for her (referred to a the Dark Lady sonnets)

153-154-addressed to the Rival Poet (allegorical in nature)

Form

Rhyme Scheme= abab cdcd efef gg These sonnets are divided into 3 Quatrains

(4-line stanzas) with a final couplet (2 rhyming lines of poetry)

The final couplet is called a heroic couplet because it is written in iambic pentameter

Problem/Conflict/Dilemma developed in the first 12 lines

Solution/Resolution completed in the final 2 lines (the heroic couplet)

Themes

Love Beauty Mortality Politics