Sonnet

What is a sonnet?

As explained in Oregon State University article: "The sonnet is one of the most famous forms in English poetry. Sonnets are associated with desire: for centuries poets have used the frame of the sonnet to explore the complicated human experience of romantic love." (2)

How does a sonnet look?

 "Traditionally, it has fourteen lines of iambic pentameter linked by an intricate rhyme scheme. Iambic pentameter refers to its rhythm; basically, each line of the poem has ten syllables, and every other syllable is stressed." (2)

What is the origin of sonnet?

"The word "sonnet" stems from italian "sonetto", which itself derives from "suono" (meaning "a sound")." (1) It was first developed in 13th century, by an Italian poet - Giacomo da Lentini. (1)

Poets who wrote sonnets:

Italian authors:

• Michelangelo

• Dante Alighieri

• Francessco Petrarch - the most famous italian Renaissance poet

  • "Petrarch sonnets" = Italian Renaissance sonnets

English authors:

• Barrett Browning

• John Donne

• William Shakespeare 

  • "Shakespearean sonnets" = English sonnets, for the form of the sonnet became so synonymous with Shakespeare’s name (1)

Resources and reference:

(1) "Poetry 101: What is a sonnet?". MasterClass. 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-a-sonnet-sonnet-definition-with-examples-plus-write-your-own-sonnet 

(2) "What is a sonnet?||Definition & Examples." Oregon State University. https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-sonnet 

OSU School of Writing, Literature and Film. ""What is a Sonnet?": A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers". Youtube, 24. Oct. 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrKmL06J9g