2. Sonnet Form
A sonnet has 14 lines.
A sonnet must be written in iambic
pentameter.
A sonnet must follow a specific rhyme
scheme, depending on the type of sonnet.
A sonnet can be about any subject, though
they are often about love or nature.
A sonnet introduces a problem or question in
the beginning, and a resolution is offered
after the turn.
3. Italian Sonnet
An Italian Sonnet is also called a Petrarchan
Sonnet.
It includes an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six
lines).
The rhyme scheme must begin with abbaabba, and
can conclude with any variation of c, d, and e
(cdecde, cdcdee, etc.).
The turn (volta) in subject matter or response must
occur between the octave and the sestet.
4. London, 1802
Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: A
England hath need of thee: she is a fen B
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, B
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, A
Have forfeited their ancient English dower A
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; B
Oh! raise us up, return to us again; B
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. A
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart; C
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: D
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, D
So didst thou travel on life's common way, E
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart C
The lowliest duties on herself did lay. E
5. Iambic Pentameter
Iambic Pentameter is made up of two words, where
pentameter is a combination of ‘pent,’ which means five,
and ‘meter,’ which means to measure.
Iambic, on the other hand, is a metrical foot in poetry in
which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed
syllable.
It means iambic pentameter is a beat or foot that uses 10
syllables in each line.
Simply, it is a rhythmic pattern comprising five iambs in
each line, like five heartbeats.
6. Iambic pentameter is one of the most commonly used
meters in English poetry. For instance, in the excerpt,
“When I see birches bend to left and right/Across the
line of straighter darker Trees…” (Birches, by Robert
Frost), each line contains five feet, and each foot uses
one iamb.
THAT’S my last Duchess painted on the wall,
Looking as if she were alive. I call
That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf’s hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands…
7. English Sonnet
In English, both the English (or Shakespearean) sonnet and the
Italian Petrarchan sonnet are traditionally written in iambic
pentameter.
The first known sonnets in English, written by Sir Thomas
Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, used the Italian,
Petrarchan form, as did sonnets by later English poets
An English Sonnet is also called a Shakespearean Sonnet.
It includes three quatrains (groups of four lines) and a couplet (two
lines).
The rhyme scheme is often abab cdcd efef gg.
The turn is either after eight lines or ten lines.
8. "Sonnet XXIX"
When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes, A
I all alone beweep my outcast state, B
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, A
And look upon myself and curse my fate, B
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, C
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, D
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, C
With what I most enjoy contented least, D
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising, E
Haply I think on thee, and then my state, F
(Like to the lark at break of day arising E
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate, F
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, G
That then I scorn to change my state with kings. G
9. Spenserian Sonnet
Invented by Edmond Spencer
It includes three quatrains (12 lines) and a couplet.
The rhyme scheme is abab bcbc cdcd ee
The turn is the couplet.
Linked rhyme
10. "Sonnet LIV"
Of this World's theatre in which we stay, A
My love like the Spectator idly sits, B
Beholding me, that all the pageants play, A
Disguising diversely my troubled wits. B
Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits, B
And mask in mirth like to a Comedy; C
Soon after when my joy to sorrow flits, B
I wail and make my woes a Tragedy. C
Yet she, beholding me with constant eye, C
Delights not in my mirth nor rues my smart; D
But when I laugh, she mocks: and when I cry C
She laughs and hardens evermore her heart. D
What then can move her? If nor mirth nor moan, E
She is no woman, but a senseless stone. E
