I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought of sonnets as love poems. As it turns out, many sonnets are about love, but sonnets can be written about other things as well. A sonnet comes from the Italian sonetto, which essentially means “little song.” Sonnets aren’t sung, though. They are lyrical poems that adhere to a strict form. Most have a consistent rhyme scheme and fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. (In case you forgot, iambic pentameter is poetic verse in which each line is made up of five iambs, which are metrical “feet” that can be arranged into two or three syllables. Click here to review the post on poetic form.) There are are two main types of sonnets. The first is the Italian (or Petrarchan) sonnet. The second is the English (or Shakespearean sonnet).
The Italian (or Petrarchan) Sonnet
This type of sonnet was named after the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca. Petrarchan sonnets are divided into two parts, the octave, which is made up of the first eight lines of the poem, and the sestet, which is the last six lines of the poem. The octave and sestet represent argument and an answer, respectively. In between you will find the volta, or turn, which is a rhetorical shift in direction, emotion, or tone that departs from the stance presented in the octave to give a new stance in the sestet.
The octave doesn’t have to make an argument. It could also be a question, an observation…anything that is answerable. The sestet’s answer may present itself as a counterargument, a clarification, or a resolution. Basically, you start out the poem talking about a subject one way, then you shift to a new perspective to end the poem. Also, the rhyme scheme usually changes once you reach the volta. Take this example from Petrarch himself:
The English (or Shakespearean) Sonnet
Shakespeare wasn’t the first to use the English sonnet, but he wrote so many (154!) so beautifully, that the English sonnet became synonymous with his name. (Click here to learn more about Shakespeare’s sonnets.) The English sonnet also consists fourteen lines, though they are comprised of three quatrains (four lines each) followed by a couplet (two lines). Many English sonnets follow the rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg. Similar to the volta in the Petrarchan sonnet, the couplet in the English sonnet has a special purpose of giving a conclusion, an emphasis, or even a contrast to the previous three quatrains. Below is one of Shakespeare’s most famous sonnets.
As with many other types of poetry, there are many variations, and you are welcome to add your own twist. Feeling creative? Why not try your hand at writing a sonnet today and see how you fare?
Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms, and the author of several young adult fantasy novels including the Blood of Kings trilogy. She loves teaching about writing. She blogs at goteenwriters.com and also posts writing videos on her YouTube channel and on Instagram. Jill is a Whovian, a Photoshop addict, and a recovering fashion design assistant. She grew up in Alaska without running water or electricity and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two kids. Find Jill online at jillwilliamson.com or on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Good morning! Thank you for the post, Jill! I forgot how much I love writing sonnets 🙂
There’s a few flaws in my rhyme scheme for this sonnet, so I’m sorry about that. This is an italian-form sonnet that I wrote about my struggles with depression. I hope that it’s relatable and encouraging! Let me know what you think!
“Fear creeps into my veins, hammering, anxious, hurt
Heart. I’m lost now, gone way too far now.
Pushing away my hope, my love, my home
For you, all to mourn, flee and find a way.
Resting in my heart now, burning cold doubt
Shiver, sprint to my one place still safe.
The walnut tree, under leaves and sticks,
When I’m alone, I cry, a mist surrounds me.
But dawn pours light on me, look up to see
There is still beauty. I’m not crying anymore.
You, Christ, always are with me, near
You break the shadow. Light floods my heart
The shadow wiped out, I turn to you.
For, Christ, you are good and you won’t let go.”
This is beautiful, Adi!
Why, thank you!
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
Yes!
That is so beautiful, Adi!
You explain all the emotions so well I almost feel them myself! Then it’s so joyful when “dawn pours light on me”
Sorry I’m behind on replying to these! Last week was my final week of grad school… Adi, this is lovely! You nailed the structure (the volta!) just perfectly. Well done.
Oh my gosh, Adi, that is so good! I can picture what you wrote so clearly in my mind. And the vision of Christ clearing the darkness and shining light upon your woe is so beautiful! Especially that last line: For, Christ, you are good and you won’t let go. So true! Love it!
Thank you so much!
Jill, Shannon, and Stephanie,
Would you be able to do a post about explaining character’s complexions? Or if you already have one, which post talks about this topic?
Maria, do you mean skin color? How to describe it?