9.1 The Sonnet Tradition in English Literature
2 min read•july 24, 2024
The sonnet, a 14-line poetic form, originated in Italy and was later adapted by English poets. Its structure evolved from the Italian to the English three quatrains and a , allowing for more flexible progression of ideas.
English sonnets explored themes of , , and , often using nature imagery. They maintained the Italian focus on a single theme or argument, condensed into 14 lines of with varying rhyme schemes.
Origins and Development of the Sonnet
Origins of English sonnet form
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- Italian roots trace back to in 13th century Sicily innovated 14-line structure
- Petrarch refined form in 14th century Italy established themes of courtly love
- and , Earl of Surrey introduced sonnets to England in 16th century
- English poets translated and adapted Petrarchan sonnets incorporated native poetic traditions
- Shakespearean sonnet structure evolved three quatrains and a couplet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG)
- variation interlocked (ABAB BCBC CDCD EE) added complexity
Italian influence on Renaissance poetry
- English poets adopted Petrarchan conventions idealized beloved and explored unrequited love
- Courtly love themes permeated English sonnets chivalric devotion and spiritual admiration
- Structural shift from octave-sestet to three quatrains and a couplet allowed more flexible progression
- Nature imagery borrowed from Italian tradition metaphors of seasons and landscapes
- English sonnets retained focus on single theme or argument condensed into 14 lines
Themes and Characteristics
Themes in sonnet expression
- Love explored multifaceted aspects romantic passion, spiritual devotion, unrequited affection
- Beauty celebrated physical attributes of beloved (eyes, lips) and transcendent qualities
- Ephemeral nature of beauty contrasted with enduring power of poetry (Shakespeare's Sonnet 18)
- Mortality contemplated impermanence of life and legacy through art
- Time's passage central theme aging, seasons, fleeting moments (Shakespeare's Sonnet 73)
Characteristics of English sonnets
- 14 lines in iambic pentameter create rhythmic structure and musical quality
- Rhyme schemes vary Shakespearean (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG), Spenserian (ABAB BCBC CDCD EE)
- (turn) signals shift in tone or argument usually occurs in line 9 of Shakespearean sonnets
- Conceit extended throughout poem (Sidney's Sonnet 71, "Who will in fairest book of Nature know")
- Compressed language employs dense imagery and wordplay maximize impact in limited space
- Addressed to specific subject often lover (Shakespeare's "Fair Youth") or patron (Spenser's "Amoretti")
- Sonnet sequences developed interconnected poems exploring relationship over time (Sidney's "Astrophil and Stella")
Key Terms to Review (23)
Beauty: Beauty is a concept that encompasses qualities that provide pleasure or satisfaction to the senses, often linked to harmony, proportion, and aesthetic appeal. In literature, particularly during the Renaissance and within the sonnet tradition, beauty serves as a central theme, reflecting both physical allure and deeper moral or spiritual dimensions, inviting readers to contemplate the nature of existence and the human experience.
Couplet: A couplet is a pair of consecutive lines of poetry that usually rhyme and have the same meter. This structure is significant in various poetic forms, serving as a foundational element in sonnets, where couplets can provide resolution or a thematic twist at the end of the poem.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a prominent 19th-century English poet known for her innovative and passionate poetry, particularly her sonnets. Her works often explored themes of love, social justice, and the struggles of women, establishing her as a key figure in the sonnet tradition of English literature.
Giacomo da Lentini: Giacomo da Lentini was an Italian poet from the 13th century, widely recognized as one of the foremost figures in the development of the sonnet form. He is often credited with the invention of the sonnet, particularly the Sicilian sonnet, which laid the groundwork for later adaptations in Italian and English literature. His work reflects a blend of courtly love themes and lyrical expression, making a significant impact on the poetic traditions that followed.
Henry Howard: Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey, was a prominent English poet and nobleman in the 16th century, known for his significant contributions to the sonnet tradition. He is best remembered for introducing the Petrarchan sonnet form to English literature and for his innovative use of blank verse, which influenced later poets. Howard's work laid the groundwork for future generations of English poets, including Shakespeare and Spenser.
Iambic pentameter: Iambic pentameter is a metrical line in poetry consisting of five iambs, which are metrical feet made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This rhythmic structure is foundational to much of English poetry, particularly in the works of notable playwrights and poets, serving to create a natural flow and musical quality in language. Its frequent use in dramatic and narrative poetry helps to enhance the emotional resonance and dramatic tension within the text.
John Milton: John Milton was a 17th-century English poet, polemicist, and civil servant best known for his epic poem 'Paradise Lost.' His work reflects the turbulent historical and political landscape of his time, including the English Civil War and the clash between monarchy and republicanism.
Love: Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that encompasses deep affection, attachment, and attraction between individuals. In literature, it often serves as a central theme that drives character motivations, conflicts, and resolutions, reflecting the joys and sorrows associated with human relationships.
Lyric poetry: Lyric poetry is a form of poetry that expresses personal emotions or thoughts, typically in a first-person voice, and often includes musical elements. This genre emphasizes the poet's feelings and insights, setting it apart from narrative poetry which tells a story. Lyric poems can take various forms, including sonnets and odes, making them an integral part of the literary tradition, particularly in the context of significant poets and movements.
Lyric voice: Lyric voice refers to the expressive, personal perspective that a poet adopts when conveying emotions and thoughts in a poem. This voice often reflects the speaker's inner feelings and experiences, making it deeply subjective and intimate. In the context of poetry, especially within the sonnet tradition, the lyric voice becomes a means for exploring themes of love, beauty, and nature, often revealing the complexities of human emotions.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit comparison between two unrelated things by stating that one thing is another, highlighting similarities between them without using 'like' or 'as.' This powerful literary device allows writers to convey complex ideas and emotions more vividly, enhancing the reader's understanding and experience. Metaphors can convey deeper meanings, create imagery, and evoke emotions, making them essential in various forms of literature.
Mortality: Mortality refers to the state of being subject to death, which carries significant philosophical and emotional implications. In literature, especially during the Renaissance, mortality often serves as a central theme, prompting reflections on the human condition, the passage of time, and the nature of existence. This preoccupation with mortality can be seen in various works and poetic forms that explore love, beauty, and the inevitable decline that accompanies life.
Octave-sestet: An octave-sestet is a structure commonly found in sonnets, specifically the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet. This structure divides the poem into two distinct parts: the octave, consisting of eight lines, and the sestet, which has six lines. The octave typically presents a problem, situation, or emotional state, while the sestet offers a resolution, commentary, or response to that initial theme.
Quatrain: A quatrain is a stanza or a complete poem consisting of four lines, often with varying rhyme schemes and metrical patterns. This structure is commonly used in various poetic forms, especially in sonnets, where quatrains help to develop ideas and themes in a compact manner, creating a rhythmic flow that enhances the emotional impact of the poem.
Renaissance: The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread across Europe, marking a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning. This period fostered significant developments in poetry, philosophy, science, and the arts, heavily influencing subsequent generations and laying the groundwork for modern Western thought.
Rhyme scheme: A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem. It is typically described using letters to represent sounds, where each letter corresponds to a different end sound. Understanding rhyme schemes helps identify the structure and formality of poetry, making it easier to analyze the emotions and themes presented by the poet.
Romanticism: Romanticism is an artistic and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and a connection to nature as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. It valued personal experience and imagination, leading to a profound exploration of themes such as beauty, love, and the sublime in literature and art, which shaped many works of the time.
Shakespeare's Sonnets: Shakespeare's sonnets are a collection of 154 poems written by William Shakespeare, typically exploring themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality. These sonnets follow a specific structure, primarily the English (or Shakespearean) sonnet form, which consists of 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, reflecting on complex human emotions and relationships.
Sir Thomas Wyatt: Sir Thomas Wyatt was an influential English poet and diplomat of the Renaissance period, recognized for introducing the Petrarchan sonnet form to English literature. His work marked a significant transition in poetic style, blending themes of love and personal experience with a new lyrical quality, which laid the groundwork for later poets such as Shakespeare. His contributions helped establish the sonnet tradition in England, making him a key figure in the development of English poetry.
Sonnets from the Portuguese: Sonnets from the Portuguese is a collection of 44 sonnets written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, first published in 1850. These sonnets are notable for their exploration of love and intimacy, reflecting Barrett Browning's deep emotional and romantic connection with her husband, Robert Browning. The title suggests a connection to Portuguese sonnets, but they are original works expressing personal feelings and experiences.
Spenserian Sonnet: A Spenserian sonnet is a type of sonnet that consists of 14 lines, structured into three quatrains followed by a couplet, and employs a specific rhyme scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. Named after the poet Edmund Spenser, this form is notable for its interlocking rhyme pattern, which creates a sense of continuity and flow between the quatrains. This sonnet form plays an important role in Renaissance poetry, reflecting themes of love, beauty, and nature while showcasing complex stylistic features.
Volta: The volta, often referred to as the 'turn,' is a rhetorical shift or dramatic change in thought and feeling that occurs in a poem, particularly in sonnets. It typically marks a transition between the problem and resolution, or from one perspective to another, allowing poets to explore complex emotional landscapes and engage readers in deeper themes.
William Shakespeare: William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His works reflect the cultural and historical shifts of the English Renaissance, influencing not only literature but also theater and the English language itself.