Literary Term: Sonnet

 Sonnet

A sonnet is usually defined as a lyric of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. Originally a stanza of Italian origin, the sonnet has developed into independent lyric form. It was originated in the thirteen century Italy, was developed by the Italian poet Petrarch and was brought to England by Sir Thomas Wyatt. The sonnet was greatly modified by the Earl of Surrey and by Shakespeare.

               

                The two most important types of sonnet are the Italian or Petrarchan and the Shakespearean or English. The Italian form, also called regular or classical sonnet, is divided into the  octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The rhyme-scheme of the octave is abba abba and that of the sestet is cde cde or cd cd cd. The English sonnet characteristically has four divisions; three quatrains and a rhymed couplet. The rhyme-scheme is abab cdcd efef gg. There is an important variant of the English type- the Spenserian sonnet, developed by Edmund Spenser. It is regarded by some as another type of sonnet. It has the rhyme-scheme; abab bcbc cdcd ee.

                In the Petrarchan form, the octave establishes a theme or poses a problem that is developed or resolved in the sestet. In the Shakespearean or English type a problem is turned about  in the three quatrains, and the couplet produces a summary  a summary statement or a witty twist.