Sonnet

Definition

A sonnet is a poetic form that consists of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme. It often explores themes of love, nature, or philosophy and is known for its structured format, which can enhance the emotional depth and complexity of the subject matter.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are several types of sonnets, including the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, which has a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, and the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet, which follows an ABBAABBACDCDCD rhyme scheme.
2. Sonnets typically have a volta, or 'turn,' which is a shift in theme or argument that often occurs between the octave and sestet in a Petrarchan sonnet or before the final couplet in a Shakespearean sonnet.
3. The theme of love is prevalent in many famous sonnets, including those by William Shakespeare, where emotional expression and complex feelings are conveyed through structured language.
4. Sonnets often employ literary devices such as metaphor, simile, and personification to enhance their emotional resonance and convey deeper meanings.
5. The strict structure of the sonnet challenges poets to express their ideas within limitations, often leading to creativity and innovation in language and theme.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a sonnet influence the expression of its themes?
  • The structure of a sonnet, with its 14 lines and specific rhyme scheme, helps to focus the poet's ideas within a confined space. This limitation encourages concise language and precision in thought, making each word significant. As poets work within this framework, they can heighten emotional impact and develop themes more intricately, using devices like the volta to shift perspectives or arguments effectively.
• Compare and contrast the two main types of sonnets, focusing on their structures and common themes.
  • Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets differ primarily in their structures: Shakespearean sonnets consist of three quatrains followed by a couplet with an ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme, while Petrarchan sonnets have an octave followed by a sestet with an ABBAABBACDCDCD pattern. Both forms often explore similar themes like love and nature but do so with different tonal shifts; the Petrarchan's octave typically presents a problem or question that the sestet resolves, while the Shakespearean couplet usually offers a conclusion or twist related to the preceding quatrains.
• Evaluate the role of literary devices within sonnets and how they contribute to thematic development.
  • Literary devices play a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth and thematic complexity of sonnets. Techniques such as metaphor and personification allow poets to convey abstract feelings in relatable terms, enriching readers' understanding. The use of sound devices like alliteration and assonance contributes to the musicality of the form, while imagery evokes vivid pictures that resonate with themes. Ultimately, these devices help to create layers of meaning that invite deeper analysis and appreciation.

Related terms

iambic pentameter:

A metrical foot in poetry consisting of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables, creating a rhythm that is commonly used in sonnets.

rhyme scheme: The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a poem, which helps to create structure and musicality, especially important in sonnets.

quatrain: A stanza or poem consisting of four lines, often used in the first part of a sonnet to develop an idea or theme before presenting a resolution.