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Sonnets. A sonnet… has 14 lines must be written in iambic pentameter must follow a specific rhyme scheme, depending on the type of sonnet can be about any subject, though they are often about love or nature
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Sonnets • A sonnet… • has 14 lines • must be written in iambic pentameter • must follow a specific rhyme scheme, depending on the type of sonnet • can be about any subject, though they are often about love or nature • introduces a problem or question in the beginning, and a resolution is offered after the turn
2 line stanzas: Couplets 3 line stanzas: Tercets or Triplets (aaa bbb ccc ddd) 4 line stanzas: Quatrains 5 line stanzas: Quintets 6 line stanzas: Sestets 7 line stanzas: Septets 8 line stanzas: Octaves Stanzas
Shakespearean Sonnet • It includes three quatrains and a couplet. • The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg. • The turn is traditionally after ten lines.
Shakespearean Example Sonnet 130 My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; ACoral is far more red than her lips' red; BIf snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; AIf hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. B I have seen roses damask'd, red and white, CBut no such roses see I in her cheeks; DAnd in some perfumes is there more delight CThan in the breath that from my mistress reeks. D I love to hear her speak, yet well I know EThat music hath a far more pleasing sound; FI grant I never saw a goddess go; EMy mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: F Three Quatrains - Introduces the theme or problem And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare GAs any she belied with false compare. G Couplet - Solves the problem or shifts in tone
Petrarchan Sonnet • It includes an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). • The rhyme scheme must begin with abbaabba, and can conclude with any variation of c, d, and e (cdecde, cdcdee, etc.). • The turn must occur between the octave and the sestet.
Petrarchan Example • "London, 1802" Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour: A England hath need of thee: she is a fen B Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, B Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, A Have forfeited their ancient English dower A Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; B Oh! raise us up, return to us again; B And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. A Octave - Introduces the theme or problem Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart; C Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: D Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, D So didst thou travel on life's common way, E In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart C The lowliest duties on herself did lay. E Sestet - Solves the problem
Spenserian Sonnet • It includes three quatrains connected by the interlocking rhyme scheme and followed by a couplet. • The rhyme scheme is, abab, bcbc, cdcd, ee • The three quatrains develop three distinct but closely related ideas, with a different idea (or commentary) in the couplet.
Spenserian Example • Sonnet LXXV One day I wrote her name upon the strand, ABut came the waves and washed it away; BAgain I wrote it with a second hand, ABut came the tide and made my pains his prey. B "Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay BA mortal thing so to immortalize, CFor I myself shall like to this decay, BAnd eke my name be wiped out likewise C "Not so." quod I, "Let baser thing devise CTo die in dust, but you shall live by fame; DMy verse your virtues rare shall eternize CAnd in the heavens write your glorious name, D Where, when as death shall all the world subdue, EOur love shall live, and later life renew." E