1. The Sonnet History and form of the Sonnet

2. What is a Sonnet? A sonnet is a poem 14 lines of iambic pentameter Three types: Shakespearian, Petrarchan, Spenserian We will focus on the Shakespearian sonnet

3. Beginnings of the Sonnet Developed in twelfth or thirteenth century Italy Reached its height in the fourteenth century under Francesco Petrarch Traditionally deal with idealized love or an unattainable woman

4. Importance of the Sonnet Establishes English as an acceptable poetic language Introduced to England by Wyatt It is a proving ground for budding poets Great sonnet writers of England include Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and William Shakespeare

5. Shakespearian Sonnet Consists of 14 lines in iambic pentameter like all sonnets Three quatrains and a couplet Rhyme scheme typically abab cdcd efef gg Written after the vogue of sonnets is over Written to three main figures: a blonde young aristocrat, a mysterious dark lady, and a rival poet

6. Petrarchan Sonnet Differs from Shakespeare’s sonnets Each consists of an eight-line stanza (octave) and a six-line stanza (sestet) First stanza presents a theme, and the second stanza develops it Rhyme Scheme: –1st Stanza: ABBA, ABBA –2nd Stanza: CDC, DCD

7. Spenserian Sonnet Edmund Spenser Rhyme scheme –ababb cbccdcd ee As with all sonnets, the heroic couplet reveals theme