1. Sonnets

2. Basic Sonnet Characteristics:
14 lines
Lyrical in nature, intense emotions/feelings
Iambic pentameter
Specific rhyme scheme/structure (Shakespearean, Spenserian, Petrarchan)

3. Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet
Original form of sonnets-began in 14th century
Two parts:
Octave (first 8 lines)
Sestet (last 6 lines)
Octave rhyme scheme: abba abba
Presents an idea, story, or poses a question
Sestet rhyme scheme: generally cdc dcd
Comments on idea/story or answers question

4. English (Shakespearean) Sonnet:
Introduced to England in 16th century by Sir Thomas Wyatt, but further developed (by changing the rhyme scheme for the rhyme-poor English language) by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey
3 Quatrains (4-line stanzas)
Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef
1 Couplet (last two lines)
Rhyme scheme: gg
Generally, 1st Quatrain introduces an idea, 2nd Quatrain complicates it, 3rd complicates it further, and Couplet resolves it

5. Spenserian Sonnet: Same as English (Shakespearean) sonnet
3 Quatrains
1 Couplet
Difference: interlocking rhyme scheme
abab bcbc cdcd ee