The sonnet is a diverse group of poetic forms that originated in Italy. It is a “celebrated stanza” that has been called the “most important” poetic form imported from Italy to English Literature.¹

Sonnets generally consists of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter, and have one principal idea that is explored using contrasting types of stanzas.

Types of sonnet

Petrarchan Sonnet

Also known as the Italian sonnet, this form consists of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter, divided into two quatrains followed by two tercets.

Its rhyme scheme is subject to great variation, but the following rules generally apply:

1. First eight lines
• Two rhymes, each repeated four times
• Each quatrain’s rhyme scheme is either abab or abba
2. Next six lines
• Either three rhymes, each repeated twice; or two rhymes, each repeated thrice.²

Following these rules rules strictly, there are many possible possible rhyme schemes, including:

• abab abab cde cde
• abba abba cdc dcd
• abab abba cdc dee

Shakespearean Sonnet

Also known as the English sonnet, it generally consists of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter with the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg.

See the main article: Shakespearean Sonnet.

Spenserian Sonnet

This type of sonnet consists of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter, broken into three quatrains followed by one couplet. Its rhyme scheme is abab bcbc cdcd ee.

History of the Sonnet

The sonnet originated in Italy, and “is said to have been invented by the Sicilians”. It was originally popularized by Petrarch, who wrote in what is known today as the Petrarchan stanza, Petrarchan sonnet, or simply Italian sonnet.

The Italians subsequently made variations to the sonnet form, and some of these variations were used by English poets, notably William Shakespeare (see the Shakespearean Sonnet) and Edmund Spenser. Some authors believe that John Milton eventually brought the sonnet back to its original form.¹

References