1. The Sonnet
Renaissance Poetry

2. the rhythmic pattern of a poem
Meter
the rhythmic pattern of a poem
determined by the number and types of stresses or “beats” in each line

3. a metrical unit of poetry used to build a line of iambic pentameter.
What is an Iamb?
a metrical unit of poetry
used to build a line of iambic pentameter.

4. What is a “foot?”
One of the repeating segments used to build a line of poetry.
In the case of iambic pentameter, one “iamb” = one foot.
One line of iambic pentameter has five feet. Each of these five feet is an iamb.

5. General Sonnet Form a lyric poem with 14 lines Iambic pentamater-
Iamb: one foot with one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable
5 feet x 2 beats per foot = 10 syllables per line
Unstressed/stressed

6. Identifying Iambic Pentameter
weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG weak STRONG
Weak = “unstressed” STRONG = “stressed”
It breaks into five feet, like this:
weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG / weak STRONG

7. The Petrarchan Sonnet Also called the “Italian Sonnet” Two parts:
octave (eight lines) Raises the question/States a problem
Rhyme scheme: abba abba
and a sestet (6 lines) Answers the questions/solves the problem
Rhyme scheme: cde cde

8. Shakespearian Sonnet
Three quatrains (four lines, but not separated between)- usually explores a variation of the theme
Concluding couplet (two rhyming lines)- presents a summarizing or concluding idea
Rhyme Scheme: ababcdcdefefgg

9. Sonnet Sequence
A series or group of sonnets written to one person or on one theme
Each sonnet CAN stand alone as a separate poem.