What is a Sonnet? Definition, Structure, and Examples

Sonnets have captivated poets and readers alike for centuries, with their elegant structure and profound themes. But what exactly defines a sonnet? How can you distinguish between the famous Petrarchan and Shakespearean styles? In this guide, we’ll explore the essential characteristics of sonnets, from their intricate rhyme schemes to their timeless themes, and discover why these 14-line poems remain one of the most beloved forms of poetry in Western literature.

What Defines a Sonnet Poem?

A sonnet is a type of poem that traditionally consists of 14 lines and is typically written in iambic pentameter. It is known for its specific rhyme scheme and thematic structure, often dealing with themes of love, nature, time, and beauty. Sonnets are among the most enduring and popular forms of poetry in Western literature.

• Sonnet: 14-line poem
• iambic pentameter 
• specific rhyme scheme 
• themes (love, nature, time, beauty) 
• Enduring and popular form of poetry.

What is an example of a Sonnet?

One of the most famous examples of a sonnet is William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18,” also known as “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”. This Sonnet exemplifies the characteristics of a Shakespearean sonnet with its 14 lines, iambic pentameter, and distinct rhyme scheme.

Example:

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade

Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;

Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

What are the 3 Characteristics of a Sonnet?

1. Fixed Structure: Sonnets have a strict structure of 14 lines, often with a specific rhyme scheme, such as ABABCDCDEFEFGG (Shakespearean) or ABBAABBACDCDCD (Petrarchan).
2. Iambic Pentameter: Most sonnets are written in iambic pentameter, where each line consists of syllables in a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables (da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
3. Thematic Focus: Sonnets often explore themes of love, time, beauty, mortality, and nature, with a turn or “volta” in the argument or theme, usually around the ninth line.

How Can You Tell if a Poem is a Sonnet?

1. Line Count: The poem will have 14 lines.
2. Rhyme Scheme: Check for a consistent rhyme scheme, typically ABABCDCDEFEFGG (Shakespearean) or ABBAABBACDCDCD (Petrarchan).
3. Meter: The poem is usually written in iambic pentameter, with each line containing ten syllables.
4. Volta: Look for a thematic shift or “volta” between the eighth and ninth lines.

How to Write a Sonnet:

Choose a Theme:

• Love: Explore a specific aspect of love, such as unrequited love, lost love, or the complexities of a romantic relationship. For example, you could write about the bittersweet longing of a lover separated from their beloved or the joy of finding true love after years of searching.
• Nature: Focus on a natural element or phenomenon that evokes strong emotions. Consider the beauty of a sunset, the power of a storm, or the tranquility of a forest. For instance, you might write about the resilience of a flower blooming in a harsh environment or the awe-inspiring majesty of a mountain range.
• The Passage of Time: Reflect on the fleeting nature of time and its impact on human life. Explore themes such as aging, nostalgia, or the inevitability of death. For example, you could write about the bittersweet memories of childhood or the fear of mortality.

Determine the Structure:

• Shakespearean Sonnet:
  • 14 lines divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a couplet (two-line stanza).
  • Rhyme scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
  • Typically features a volta or turn of thought around the ninth line.
• Petrarchan Sonnet:
  • 14 lines divided into an octave (eight-line stanza) and a sestet (six-line stanza).
  • Rhyme scheme: ABBA ABBA CDCDCD or CDECDE.
  • Often features a volta at the beginning of the sestet.

Write in Iambic Pentameter:

• Each line should have ten syllables with an unstressed-stressed syllable pattern. For example: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”

Craft the Volta:

• The volta is a thematic shift or twist that occurs around the ninth line. It can introduce a new idea, question a previous statement, or provide a resolution to a conflict.

Revise and Refine:

• Ensure the rhyme scheme and meter are consistent throughout the poem.
• Pay attention to the clarity and coherence of your ideas.
• Consider using figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, to enhance the imagery and emotional impact of your poem.
• Read your poem aloud to check for rhythm and flow.

Famous Sonnet Examples:

• Shakespearean Sonnet: “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”)
• Petrarchan Sonnet: “Sonnet 292” by Francesco Petrarch (“The eyes I spoke of once in words that burn”)

Petrarchan Sonnet:

The Petrarchan sonnet, also known as the Italian Sonnet, is a form of Sonnet popularized by the Italian poet Petrarch. It consists of an octave (eight lines) with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA, followed by a sestet (six lines) with a more flexible rhyme scheme, such as CDCDCD or CDECDE. The Petrarchan sonnet typically presents a problem or situation in the octave and resolves or reflects on it in the sestet.

Example:

Francesco Petrarch’s “Sonnet 292”: The eyes I spoke of once in words that burn,

the arms and hands and feet and face whose beauty

led me to find myself in realms above,

the crisp hair, shining brighter than bright gold,

the flashes of a smile so sweet none turned away,

the gentle sound of sighs that caused me,

to witness in my own sighs what I am,

are all now a buried past.

Petrarchan Sonnet vs. Shakespearean Sonnet

Sonnets are a distinguished form of poetry, and two of the most famous variations are the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet and the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. While both share similarities in their structure, they differ in their rhyme schemes, thematic development, and history.

Structure and Rhyme Scheme

• Petrarchan Sonnet:
  • Structure: The Petrarchan sonnet is divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).
  • Rhyme Scheme: The octave typically follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA. The sestet can vary, often following patterns like CDCDCD, CDECDE, or other combinations, giving the poet some flexibility.
  • Example:

Octave (ABBAABBA):

When I consider how my light is spent, (A)
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, (B)
And that one talent which is death to hide (B)
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent (A)
To serve therewith my Maker, and present (A)
My true account, lest he returning chide; (B)
"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" (B)
I fondly ask; but Patience, to prevent (A)

Sestet (CDECDE):

That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need (C)
Either man's work or his own gifts; who best (D)
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state (E)
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed (C)
And post o'er land and ocean without rest; (D)
They also serve who only stand and wait." (E)

• Shakespearean Sonnet:
  • Structure: The Shakespearean Sonnet comprises three quatrains (four lines each) followed by a concluding couplet (two lines).
  • Rhyme Scheme: The Shakespearean Sonnet follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG, which lends itself to a more straightforward and rhythmic structure.
  • Example:

Quatrains (ABABCDCDEFEF):

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? (A)
Thou art more lovely and more temperate: (B)
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, (A)
And summer's lease hath all too short a date: (B)
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, (C)
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd; (D)
And every fair from fair sometime declines, (C)
By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimm'd; (D)
But thy eternal summer shall not fade (E)
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest; (F)
Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade, (E)
When in eternal lines to time thou growest: (F)

Couplet (GG):

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, (G)
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. (G)

Read more about Rhyme Scheme here.

Thematic Development

• Petrarchan Sonnet:
  • Volta: The Petrarchan sonnet typically features a “volta,” or thematic shift, between the octave and the sestet. The octave introduces a problem, situation, or emotional state, while the sestet offers a resolution, reflection, or counterpoint.
  • Themes: Common themes in Petrarchan sonnets include unattainable love, beauty, and the tension between spiritual and earthly desires.
• Shakespearean Sonnet:
  • Volta: In the Shakespearean Sonnet, the “volta” usually occurs at the beginning of the third quatrain (line 9), though it can also be found in the final couplet. The three quatrains allow for a gradual development of the theme, with the final couplet providing a twist or a concluding thought.
  • Themes: Shakespearean sonnets often explore themes of love, time, beauty, mortality, and the nature of poetry itself.

Historical Context and Usage

• Petrarchan Sonnet:
  • Origin: The Petrarchan sonnet is named after the Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, who popularized this form in the 14th century. It became the standard sonnet form in Italy and influenced poets across Europe.
  • Influence: The Petrarchan sonnet deeply influenced the work of English poets such as Sir Thomas Wyatt and John Milton, who adapted its form and themes to their own language and culture.
• Shakespearean Sonnet:
  • Origin: The Shakespearean Sonnet is named after William Shakespeare, who, along with other English poets like Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, adapted the sonnet form to fit the English language’s structure and vocabulary.
  • Influence: Shakespeare’s use of the sonnet form, particularly his innovative thematic development and concluding couplets, set a standard for English poetry and remains one of the most admired forms in literature.

Summary

• Petrarchan Sonnet:
  • Structure: Octave (ABBAABBA) + Sestet (CDECDE or similar)
  • Volta: Between the octave and sestet
  • Themes: Unattainable love, beauty, spiritual vs. earthly desires
  • Origin: Italy, 14th century (Petrarch)
• Shakespearean Sonnet:
  • Structure: Three quatrains (ABABCDCDEFEF) + Couplet (GG)
  • Volta: Usually in the third quatrain or final couplet
  • Themes: Love, time, beauty, mortality, poetry
  • Origin: England, 16th century (Shakespeare)

Continued reading on Sonnnets:

Shakespeare’s Sonnets

Petrarch’s Sonnets