Unit 2: Poetry I

Sonnet

A structured poetic form originating from the Italian word 'sonnetto,' meaning 'little song.' It consists of 14 lines traditionally written in iambic pentameter, exploring themes such as love, beauty, nature, or human emotion. Sonnets follow specific rhyme schemes, enhancing their lyrical quality, and include several subtypes like Petrarchan, Shakespearean, and Spenserian sonnets, each with unique structural characteristics and thematic focuses.

Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet

An Italian sonnet, also known as a Petrarchan sonnet, is composed of two parts: an octave containing eight lines and a sestet of six lines. The octave usually follows the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA, while the sestet can employ different rhyme patterns such as CDCDCD or CDECDE. This structure is designed to develop an argument, problem, or theme in the octave, followed by a resolution or counterargument in the sestet, often leading to a deeper exploration of the subject.

English Sonnet

The English sonnet, also referred to as the Shakespearean sonnet, generally comprises 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet. Its typical rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form allows for a thematic progression or development in the quatrains, culminating in a striking conclusion or insight in the final couplet.

Shakespearean Sonnet

A specific subtype of English sonnet popularized by William Shakespeare, recognized for its distinctive rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form is notable for its exploration of complex themes including love, time, and mortality, using structured quatrains to present various facets of these themes, culminating in a persuasive or philosophical conclusion in the final couplet.

Spenserian Sonnet

A variation of the sonnet form created by Edmund Spenser. It consists of 14 lines structured into three interlinked quatrains and a couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. This interconnected rhyme scheme allows for a seamless flow of ideas and themes throughout the poem, often reflecting nuanced emotional or philosophical concepts.

Meter

The rhythmic structure of a poem, determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. It creates a musical quality and can enhance the emotional impact of the poetry.

Foot

The basic unit of meter in poetry, made up of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common types include iambs, trochees, anapests, and dactyls, influencing the poem’s rhythm.

Sestina

A complex form of poetry consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi. The end words of the first stanza are repeated in a specific pattern throughout the subsequent stanzas, creating a rich interplay of themes and ideas.

Villanelle

A nineteen-line form of poetry consisting of five tercets followed by a quatrain, with a specific rhyme scheme of ABA and the first and third lines of the opening tercet repeated alternately at the end of the subsequent stanzas.