What is a Sonnet?

Understanding the forms,

meter, rhyme, and other
aspects of the sonnet.
 Sonnet Form
 A sonnet has 14 lines.
 A sonnet must be written in iambic pentameter.
 A sonnet must follow a specific rhyme scheme,
depending on the type of sonnet.
 A sonnet can be about any subject, though they
are often about love or nature.
 A sonnet introduces a problem or question in
the beginning, and a resolution is offered after
the turn.
 Iambic Pentameter
 A line of Iambic Pentameter is a line with ten
beats.
 An “Iamb” is two beats, or one “foot.”
 “Penta” is five (line has five “feet”).
 “Meter” is the rhythm of the poem.
 A “foot” is made of an unstressed syllable
and a stressed syllable (in that order).
 English Sonnet
 An English Sonnet is also called a
Shakespearean Sonnet.
 It includes three quatrains (groups of four
lines) and a couplet (two lines).
 The rhyme scheme is often abab cdcd efef
gg.
 The turn is either after eight lines or ten lines.
"Sonnet XXIX"
When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes, A
I all alone beweep my outcast state, B
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, A
And look upon myself and curse my fate, B
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, C
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, D
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, C
With what I most enjoy contented least, D
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising, E
Haply I think on thee, and then my state, F
(Like to the lark at break of day arising E
From sullen earth) sings hymns at heaven's gate, F
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings, G
That then I scorn to change my state with kings. G
 Italian Sonnet
 An Italian Sonnet is also called a Petrarchan
Sonnet.
 It includes an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six
lines).
 The rhyme scheme must begin with abbaabba, and
can conclude with any variation of c, d, and e
(cdecde, cdcdee, etc.).
 The turn (volta) in subject matter or response must
occur between the octave and the sestet.
London, 1802
Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: A
England hath need of thee: she is a fen B
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, B
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, A
Have forfeited their ancient English dower A
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; B
Oh! raise us up, return to us again; B
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. A
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart; C
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: D
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, D
So didst thou travel on life's common way, E
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart C
The lowliest duties on herself did lay. E
 Spenserian Sonnet
 Invented by Edmond Spencer
 It includes three quatrains (12 lines) and a couplet.
 The rhyme scheme is abab bcbc cdcd ee
 The turn is the couplet.
"Sonnet LIV"
Of this World's theatre in which we stay, A
My love like the Spectator idly sits, B
Beholding me, that all the pageants play, A
Disguising diversely my troubled wits. B
Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits, B
And mask in mirth like to a Comedy; C
Soon after when my joy to sorrow flits, B
I wail and make my woes a Tragedy. C
Yet she, beholding me with constant eye, C
Delights not in my mirth nor rues my smart; D
But when I laugh, she mocks: and when I cry C
She laughs and hardens evermore her heart. D
What then can move her? If nor mirth nor moan, E
She is no woman, but a senseless stone. E
TP-CASTT
 Let us now review the TP-CASTT.
 The real question: Why are sonnets written in
form and how does their structure, figurative
language, and imagery influence meaning?
Sonnet 130
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.