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.