The Sonnet Adapted from PBS.org, Cliffs notes, Ms. Hurt, McDougal Littell’s The Language of Literature: British Literature
History of the Sonnet Invented by Italian poet Francesco Petrarch in 1327; smitten with Laura. Petrarch expressed his unrequited love for this woman in his sonnets. The Italian sonnet is usually referred to as the Petrarchan sonnet.
The Petrarchan Sonnet consists of… an octave (8 lines) that tells a story, introduces a situation, or raises a question. A sestet (6 lines) that comment on the story, situation or question. Rhyme scheme: ABBA ABBA CDE CDE
The English Sonnet Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, introduced the form sonnet into England. Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, John Donne and John Milton wrote sonnets. William Shakespeare perfected it.
The English or Shakespearean Sonnet is A poem written in iambic pentameter With 3 quatrains and 1 couplet Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
The Quatrain Four rhyming lines (ABAB) of poetry First quatrain reflects theme of sonnet; introduces situation Second and third quatrains develop, vary or expand the theme. A turn sometimes occurs in the third quatrain.
The Couplet Two rhyming lines (GG) of poetry Either summarizes the previous 12 lines, provides a resolution, a turn or shift in thought, or Presents a surprise ending (Reversal)
Themes of a sonnet Love: unrequited, desperate, eternal or tragic Praise of Beauty Old Age Conformity Gaining Immortality through the poem Life Like a Play
What have you learned? History of sonnet Octave Sestet Quatrain Couplet Rhyme Scheme Themes of sonnet
Now, You Practice! Textbook: pages 303 and 309 Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 29 and Petrarch’s Sonnet 169 Identify the following: rhyme scheme, octave, sestet, quatrain, couplet. Identify the theme of the sonnet and the poet’s resolution or comment. State your opinion of poem’s message.