Basic Definition and Structure
A sonnet is a fixed poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables alternating between unstressed and stressed beats (da-DUM). The structure emphasizes precision and economy of language to convey complex ideas, emotions, or arguments within a compact framework.
Key Components: Rhyme Schemes and Types
Sonnet structure varies by type. The Shakespearean (English) sonnet follows an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, often with a volta (turn) in thought at line 9 or 13. The Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet uses an octave (ABBAABBA) and sestet (variations like CDCDCD or CDECDE), with the volta typically at line 9, creating a problem-resolution dynamic.
Practical Example: Shakespeare's Sonnet 18
In Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 ('Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'), the structure unfolds as: Quatrain 1 (ABAB) questions the comparison; Quatrain 2 (CDCD) highlights summer's flaws; Quatrain 3 (EFEF) asserts poetry's immortality; and the couplet (GG) resolves with the beloved's eternal beauty through verse, demonstrating how structure builds rhetorical progression.
Importance and Literary Applications
The sonnet's rigid structure challenges poets to innovate within constraints, making it a staple in English literature for exploring themes like love, time, and mortality. It influences modern poetry and education, teaching discipline in form while allowing emotional depth, as seen in works by Milton, Wordsworth, and contemporary writers adapting the form.