Sonnet

A sonnet is defined by Encyclopaedia Britannica as: "... a poetic form consisting of 14 lines that typically adhere to a specific rhyme scheme and meter, often iambic pentameter." ("Sonnet")

The Poetry Foundation cite lists many types of sonnets, but the most well-known are: "There are several types; the most well-known being the Shakespearean (or English), the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnets and the Spenserian sonnet." ("Sonnet")

Sonnets are mostly not a suitable medium to express one's sincere feelings and emotions. It is more of a rhetorical exercise, for entertainment. However, it is quite a good medium to show one's poetic gift and mastery.

Petrarchan sonnets are about a platonic concept of unrequited love. The poet aspires to win the attention of an angelic/iconic lady through his writing.
Spenserian sonnets are similar to the Petrarchan sonnets. The theme is about courtship to an inaccessible lady. The poet humbles himself far below her.
Shakespearian (English) sonnets are not only about love. They are about passing time, getting old, and the carpe diem attitude = seize the day and enjoy your life.

The first poet of the Renaissance; the first author to write a sonnet in English was Sir Thomas Wyatt. He and Henry Howard introduced the sonnet into English verse.
His sonnet works are mostly translations and imitations of Petrarcha's sonnet. He translated 10 of Petrarca's sonnets. ("Thomas Wyatt")
Here is a link to one of his sonnets, I Find no Peace: I Find no Peace

One of the most important pioneers of the 16th century was Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey.
He constituted the specific English form of the sonnet that we know today. The poem consists of 14 lines that follow a strict rhyme and specific structure: two quatrains (4 lines) rhymed ABBA-ABBA and two tercets (3 lines) rhymed CDE-CDE in iambic pentameter.
Thus creating the ABBA-ABBA-CDE-CDE rhyme scheme. ("Sonnet")
His original poetry published posthumously as Tottel's Miscellany, usually published as Songs and Sonnets, Written by Henry Howard, Late Earl of Surrey and Others. (“Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.”)
Here is a link to the original poetry: Tottel's Miscellany

Another important author is Sir Philip Sidney who first published an English sonnet sequence. He was the pioneer of modern English sonnet writing, even though, he wrote in the form of Petrarchan sonnet.
The form is 14 lines divided into two sections: an eight-line stanza (octave) rhymed ABBA-ABBA, and a six-line stanza (sestet) rhymed CDCDCD or CDECDE. ("Sonnet")
Thus creating the ABBA-ABBA-CDCDCD(CDECDE) rhyme scheme.
The best work of Sir P. Sidney is Astrophil and Stella. (Topolovská)
Here is a link to the first cycle: Astrophil and Stella.

One English author, Edmund Spenser, actually created his own variant of the sonnet, the Spenserian sonnet.
He formed it as 3 quatrains followed by a couplet (2 lines) and the rhyme scheme is: ABAB-BCBC- CD-CD-EE. ("Sonnet")
He wrote 88 sonnets called Amoretti.
Here is a link to the first sonnet: Amoretti I: Happy ye leaves when as those lilly hands 

The most famous sonnet author is William Shakespeare. He did not invent the Shakespearian sonnet.
He wrote in English sonnet form, but because he wrote 154 of them, the English sonnet is mostly referred to as the Shakespearian sonnet. It condenses the 14 lines into one stanza of three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
The rhyme scheme is ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG. ("Sonnet")
Shakespeare challenges the traditional Elizabethan genre.
Here is the link to one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets: Sonnet 18

Here is a good video on Youtube about sonnets: "What is a Sonnet?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers

Work cited:

“Amoretti i: Happy Ye Leaves When as Those...” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50023/amoretti-i-happy-ye-leaves-when-as-those-lilly-hands. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“Astrophil and Stella 1: Loving in Truth, And...” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45152/astrophil-and-stella-1-loving-in-truth-and-fain-in-verse-my-love-to-show. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Howard-Earl-of-Surrey. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“I Find No Peace.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45579/i-find-no-peace. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

OSU School of Writing, Literature and Film. “‘What Is a Sonnet?’: A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers.” YouTube, https://youtu.be/QmrKmL06J9g. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“Sir Thomas Wyatt.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/thomas-wyatt. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“Sonnet.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 8 Oct. 2024, www.britannica.com/art/sonnet. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024

“Sonnet.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/education/glossary/sonnet. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

“Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s...” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45087/sonnet-18-shall-i-compare-thee-to-a-summers-day. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

Topolovská, Tereza. "7. THE CONTRAST IN THE SENSIBILITY OF ELIZABETHAN POETRY AND METAPHYSICAL POETRY." British Literature, 2016, Charles University, Class lecture

Tottel’s Miscellany. Songes and Sonnets, sourcetext.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/tottels_1557.pdf. Accessed 19 Oct. 2024.

author of the page: Tereza Nacherová, 563516