The Sonnet Renaissance Poetry

the rhythmic pattern of a poem Meter the rhythmic pattern of a poem determined by the number and types of stresses or “beats” in each line

a metrical unit of poetry used to build a line of iambic pentameter. What is an Iamb? a metrical unit of poetry used to build a line of iambic pentameter.

What is a “foot?” One of the repeating segments used to build a line of poetry. In the case of iambic pentameter, one “iamb” = one foot. One line of iambic pentameter has five feet. Each of these five feet is an iamb.

General Sonnet Form a lyric poem with 14 lines Iambic pentamater- Iamb: one foot with one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable 5 feet x 2 beats per foot = 10 syllables per line Unstressed/stressed

Identifying Iambic Pentameter weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG Weak = “unstressed” STRONG = “stressed” It breaks into five feet, like this: weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG

The Petrarchan Sonnet Also called the “Italian Sonnet” Two parts: octave (eight lines) Raises the question/States a problem Rhyme scheme: abba abba and a sestet (6 lines) Answers the questions/solves the problem Rhyme scheme: cde cde

Shakespearian Sonnet Three quatrains (four lines, but not separated between)- usually explores a variation of the theme Concluding couplet (two rhyming lines)- presents a summarizing or concluding idea Rhyme Scheme: ababcdcdefefgg

Sonnet Sequence A series or group of sonnets written to one person or on one theme Each sonnet CAN stand alone as a separate poem.