1. Sonnets Introduced in Italy in the 13th century “sonnet” = little song
Subject = focus on personal feelings and thoughts that are lyrical in nature

2. Sonnets
Length = 14 lines
Meter = iambic pentameter (5 metrical units, unstressed followed by a stressed syllable)
Structure and rhyme scheme = strict pattern
3 most common types
Spenserian
Shakespearean
Petrarchan

3. Spenserian Sonnet Structure: Rhyme Scheme: 3 quatrains (4-line unit)
Each addresses the main idea, thought or question
1 couplet (2 rhymed lines)
Provides and answer or summation
Rhyme Scheme:
abab bcbc cdcd ee

4. Shakespearean Sonnet abab cdcd efef gg Structure: Rhyme Scheme:
3 quatrains (4-line unit)
Each addresses the main idea, thought or question
1 couplet (2 rhymed lines)
Provides and answer or summation
Turn, or shift in thought, occurs in 3rd quatrain or couplet
Rhyme Scheme:
abab cdcd efef gg

5. Petrarchan Sonnet 1 octave (8-line unit) abba abba
Structure:
1 octave (8-line unit)
Introduces a situation , presents a problem or raises a question
abba abba
1 sestet (6-line unit)
Speaker comments on or resolves question or problem
cdcdcd or cdecde