Sonnets Sonnet Definition A romantic poem 14 lines

Sonnets

Sonnet : Definition • A romantic poem • 14 lines • Must have rhyme scheme • Compares two things • Contains a Volta or Turn (But Phrase)

Sonnet Style • Iambic Pentameter • 5 beats • Iamb • Stressed/Unstressed Syllable pairs When in disgrace with Fortune and men’s eyes

Types of Sonnets • Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet • Spenserian Sonnet • English (Shakespearean) Sonnet

The Italian Sonnet • Divided into two sections – Octave (8 Lines) – Sestet (6 Lines) • The Volta will usually be located on Line #9

Italian Sonnet Cont. • Rhyme scheme • Octave • A B B A • Sestet • No set rhyme scheme (multiple variations available)

Spenserian Sonnet • Divided in to 4 sections – 3 Quatrains (4 lines each) – 1 Couplet (2 lines) • The Volta is still usually located on line 9

Spenserian Sonnet Cont. • Rhyme Scheme –A –B –C –E B C D E A B C D

Shakespearean Sonnet • Divided the same as a Spenserian Sonnet – 3 Quatrains (4 lines each) – 1 Couplet (2 lines) • The Volta moves around more in this type of sonnet than in any other.

Shakespearean Sonnet Cont. • Rhyme Scheme – – A C E G B D F G A C E B D F • Spenserian – – A B C E B C D E A B C D