SonnetsA sonnet…

◦has 14 lines◦must be written in iambic pentameter◦must follow a specific rhyme scheme,

depending on the type of sonnet◦can be about any subject, though they

are often about love or nature◦introduces a problem or question in the

beginning, and a resolution is offered after the turn

Stanzas2 line stanzas: Couplets3 line stanzas: Tercets or Triplets (aaa

bbb ccc ddd)4 line stanzas: Quatrains5 line stanzas: Quintets6 line stanzas: Sestets7 line stanzas: Septets8 line stanzas: Octaves

Shakespearean SonnetIt includes three quatrains and a

couplet.The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd

efef gg.The turn is traditionally after ten

lines.

Shakespearean ExampleSonnet 130

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; ACoral is far more red than her lips' red; BIf snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; AIf hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. B

I have seen roses damask'd, red and white, CBut no such roses see I in her cheeks; DAnd in some perfumes is there more delight CThan in the breath that from my mistress reeks. D

I love to hear her speak, yet well I know EThat music hath a far more pleasing sound; FI grant I never saw a goddess go; EMy mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: F

Three Quatrains - Introduces the theme or problem

And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare GAs any she belied with false compare. G

Couplet - Solves the problem or shifts in tone

Petrarchan SonnetIt includes an octave (eight lines) and

a sestet (six lines).The rhyme scheme must begin with

abba abba, and can conclude with any variation of c, d, and e (cdecde, cdcdee, etc.).

The turn must occur between the octave and the sestet.

Petrarchan Example "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

Octave - Introduces the theme or problem

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

Sestet - Solves the problem

Spenserian SonnetIt includes three quatrains

connected by the interlocking rhyme scheme and followed by a couplet.

The rhyme scheme is, abab, bcbc, cdcd, ee

The three quatrains develop three distinct but closely related ideas, with a different idea (or commentary) in the couplet.

Spenserian Example Sonnet LXXV

One day I wrote her name upon the strand, ABut came the waves and washed it away; BAgain I wrote it with a second hand, ABut came the tide and made my pains his prey. B

"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay BA mortal thing so to immortalize, CFor I myself shall like to this decay, BAnd eke my name be wiped out likewise C

"Not so." quod I, "Let baser thing devise CTo die in dust, but you shall live by fame; DMy verse your virtues rare shall eternize CAnd in the heavens write your glorious name, D

Where, when as death shall all the world subdue, EOur love shall live, and later life renew." E