AP Lit

1. AP Lit April 8, 2013 Ms. Roule

2. Sonnets • Derived from the Italian word sonetto, meaning “little song.” • We’re going to look at three types: • Italian (or Petrarchan) sonnets • Shakespearean sonnets • Spenserian sonnets

3. Italian/Petrarchan Sonnets • Structure: • Octave (two quatrains) which poses the “problem” • Sestet (two tercets) which presents the “solution” • Typically, the 9th line presents the volta, or turn/shift from problem to resolution • Rhyme scheme: abba abba cde cde (or a variation for the sestet like cdc dcd…)

4. English/Shakespearean Sonnets • Structure: • Form is typically 3 quatrains and a couplet • In English sonnets, the volta, or turn occurs in 3rd quatrain • Shakespeare’s voltas, however, usually occur in couplet • Meter: Iambic Pentameter • Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg

5. Spenserian Sonnets: a minor variation on English sonnet • Structure: • Form is typically 3 quatrains and a couplet • In English sonnets, the volta, or turn occurs in 3rd quatrain • Shakespeare’s voltas, however, usually occur in couplet • Meter: Iambic Pentameter • Rhyme scheme: ababbcbccdcdee