The SonnetThe Sonnet

English IVEnglish IV

SonnetSonnet

A fourteen-line A fourteen-line poem, usually poem, usually written in iambic written in iambic pentameterpentameter

Two main kinds: Two main kinds: Petrarchan and Petrarchan and ShakepeareanShakepearean

Spenserian also a Spenserian also a type of sonnettype of sonnet

Petrarchan/Italian Petrarchan/Italian

Named after the fourteenth century Named after the fourteenth century poet Francesco Petrarchpoet Francesco Petrarch

Divided into two parts: an eight line Divided into two parts: an eight line octave, with a rhyme scheme of octave, with a rhyme scheme of abbaabba, and a six line sestet, with a abbaabba, and a six line sestet, with a rhyme scheme of cdecde. rhyme scheme of cdecde.

The octave usually presents a The octave usually presents a problem or poses a question which problem or poses a question which the sestet the resolves, answers or the sestet the resolves, answers or drives homedrives home

English/ShakespeareanEnglish/Shakespearean

Generally (not always) has three four Generally (not always) has three four line units of quatrains followed by a line units of quatrains followed by a concluding two line coupletconcluding two line couplet

The three quatrains express related The three quatrains express related ideas or examples while the couplet ideas or examples while the couplet sums up the poet’s conclusion or sums up the poet’s conclusion or messagemessage

Most common rhyme scheme is abab Most common rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef ggcdcd efef gg

Spenserian Spenserian

Developed by Edmund Developed by Edmund SpenserSpenser

Similar to the English Similar to the English sonnet with three sonnet with three quatrains and a coupletquatrains and a couplet

Uses and interlocking Uses and interlocking rhyme scheme of abab rhyme scheme of abab bcbc cdcd eebcbc cdcd ee