the sonnet history and form of the sonnet. what is a sonnet? a sonnet is a poem 14 lines of iambic...
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The Sonnet
History and form of the Sonnet
What is a Sonnet?
A sonnet is a poem 14 lines of iambic pentameter Three types: Shakespearian,
Petrarchan, Spenserian We will focus on the Shakespearian
sonnet
Beginnings of the Sonnet
Developed in twelfth or thirteenth century Italy
Reached its height in the fourteenth century under Francesco Petrarch
Traditionally deal with idealized love or an unattainable woman
Importance of the Sonnet
Establishes English as an acceptable poetic language
Introduced to England by Wyatt It is a proving ground for budding poets Great sonnet writers of England include
Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and William Shakespeare
Shakespearian Sonnet
Consists of 14 lines in iambic pentameter like all sonnets
Three quatrains and a couplet Rhyme scheme typically abab cdcd efef gg Written after the vogue of sonnets is over Written to three main figures: a blonde young
aristocrat, a mysterious dark lady, and a rival poet
Petrarchan Sonnet
Differs from Shakespeare’s sonnets Each consists of an eight-line stanza
(octave) and a six-line stanza (sestet) First stanza presents a theme, and the
second stanza develops it Rhyme Scheme:
– 1st Stanza: ABBA, ABBA– 2nd Stanza: CDC, DCD
Spenserian Sonnet
Edmund Spenser Rhyme scheme
– ababb cbccdcd ee As with all sonnets, the heroic couplet
reveals theme