the sonnet history and form of the sonnet. what is a sonnet? a sonnet is a poem 14 lines of iambic...

The Sonnet

History and form of the Sonnet

What is a Sonnet?

A sonnet is a poem 14 lines of iambic pentameter Three types: Shakespearian,

Petrarchan, Spenserian We will focus on the Shakespearian

sonnet

Beginnings of the Sonnet

Developed in twelfth or thirteenth century Italy

Reached its height in the fourteenth century under Francesco Petrarch

Traditionally deal with idealized love or an unattainable woman

Importance of the Sonnet

Establishes English as an acceptable poetic language

Introduced to England by Wyatt It is a proving ground for budding poets Great sonnet writers of England include

Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and William Shakespeare

Shakespearian Sonnet

Consists of 14 lines in iambic pentameter like all sonnets

Three quatrains and a couplet Rhyme scheme typically abab cdcd efef gg Written after the vogue of sonnets is over Written to three main figures: a blonde young

aristocrat, a mysterious dark lady, and a rival poet

Petrarchan Sonnet

Differs from Shakespeare’s sonnets Each consists of an eight-line stanza

(octave) and a six-line stanza (sestet) First stanza presents a theme, and the

second stanza develops it Rhyme Scheme:

– 1st Stanza: ABBA, ABBA– 2nd Stanza: CDC, DCD

Spenserian Sonnet

Edmund Spenser Rhyme scheme

– ababb cbccdcd ee As with all sonnets, the heroic couplet

reveals theme