The Evolution of the English Sonnet - The Evolution of the English Sonnet , Examples and Facts The sonnet form has been an important part of English literature for centuries, and its evolution is a testament to its enduring appeal.
The English sonnet,
also known as the Shakespearean sonnet, is a variation of the Italian sonnet
that was developed in the 16th century. In this article, we will explore the
evolution of the English sonnet, from its Italian origins to its modern-day
usage in contemporary poetry.
The Evolution of the English Sonnet
The Evolution of the English Sonnet The sonnet is a
fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. It is usually
divided into two parts, with the first part consisting of eight lines and the
second part consisting of six lines. The sonnet form originated in Italy in the
13th century, and it was popularized by the poet Petrarch in the 14th century.
The sonnet form was later introduced to England in the 16th century, where it
underwent several transformations and adaptations.
The Italian Sonnet
The Italian sonnet, also known as the Petrarchan sonnet, is
characterized by its rhyme scheme and meter. It consists of fourteen lines,
with the first eight lines (the octave) following the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA,
and the last six lines (the sestet) following a variety of rhyme schemes,
including CDCDCD and CDECDE. The Italian sonnet is usually written in iambic
pentameter, which consists of five metrical feet per line.
Petrarch, the father of the Italian sonnet, is known for his
love sonnets to Laura, a woman he admired from afar. His sonnets were
characterized by their idealized and often unattainable love themes, as well as
their exploration of the beauty and transience of life.
The English Sonnet
The English sonnet, also known as the Shakespearean sonnet,
is a variation of the Italian sonnet that was developed in the 16th century.
The English sonnet consists of fourteen lines, with the first twelve lines
following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF, and the final two lines following
the rhyme scheme GG. The English sonnet is also usually written in iambic
pentameter.
Sir Thomas Wyatt is credited with introducing the sonnet form
to England in the 16th century, and he is known for his adaptations of
Petrarch's sonnets. Shakespeare later developed the English sonnet into its
definitive form, The
Evolution of the English Sonnet using the rhyme scheme and meter to create some
of the most famous sonnets in the English language. Shakespeare's sonnets were
known for their exploration of themes such as love, mortality, and the nature
of existence, and they have had a lasting influence on English literature and
language.
The Spenserian Sonnet
The Spenserian sonnet, also known as the English sonnet with
linking rhyme, was developed by Edmund Spenser in the late 16th century. It is
characterized by its rhyme scheme, which follows the pattern ABAB BCBC CDCD EE.
The Spenserian sonnet is usually written in iambic pentameter, and it is known
for its use of enjambment, or the continuation of a thought or phrase across
lines.
Spenser's use of linking rhyme, or the repetition of a sound
from the previous line in the next line, gives the Spenserian sonnet a more
cohesive and fluid structure than other sonnet forms. The Spenserian sonnet is
also known for its use of elaborate imagery and metaphors, and it has had a
significant influence on English literature and poetry.
The Miltonic Sonnet
The Miltonic sonnet, also known as the English sonnet with
Italian rhyme, was developed by John Milton in the 17th century. It is
characterized by its rhyme scheme, which follows the pattern ABBAABBA CDECDE or
ABBAABBA CDDCEE. The Miltonic sonnet is usually written in iambic pentameter,
and it is known for its use of complex and elaborate syntax.
Milton's sonnets were known for their exploration of
theological themes, and they have had a significant influence on the Romantic
poets of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Miltonic sonnet is also known for its
use of paradox and ambiguity, and it has been praised for its intellectual
depth and complexity. The
Evolution of the English Sonnet
The Modern Sonnet
The sonnet form underwent a revival in the 20th century, with
poets such as W.H. Auden, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Robert Frost using the
sonnet form to explore contemporary themes and issues. The modern sonnet is
characterized by its experimentation with traditional sonnet forms, as well as
its use of free verse and unconventional rhyme schemes.
The modern sonnet is also known for its exploration of
personal and political themes, and it has been used to address issues such as
social justice, gender, and sexuality. Contemporary poets continue to use the
sonnet form to push the boundaries of traditional poetry, and the sonnet
remains a vital and dynamic form in English literature.
Conclusion
The evolution of the English sonnet is a testament to the
enduring appeal of the sonnet form in English literature. From its Italian
origins to its modern-day usage in contemporary poetry, the sonnet has
undergone several transformations and adaptations, each one adding to the
richness and complexity of the form.
While the sonnet has been used to explore a variety of themes
and issues throughout its history, it remains a form that is uniquely suited to
the exploration of human emotion and experience. As such, it is likely that the
sonnet will continue to be an important part of English literature for many
years to come.
The Evolution of the English Sonnet FAQs
What is a sonnet?
A sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme
scheme and meter.
What is the difference between the Italian sonnet and the
English sonnet? The Italian sonnet follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA CDCDCD or
ABBAABBA CDECDE, while the English sonnet follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD
EFEF GG.
What themes are often explored in Shakespeare's sonnets?
Shakespeare's sonnets often explore themes such as love,
mortality, and the nature of existence.
How has the sonnet form changed over time?
The sonnet form has undergone several transformations and
adaptations over time, with different poets and writers experimenting with
rhyme schemes, meter, and subject matter.
What is the significance of the sonnet in English literature?
The sonnet is a form that is uniquely suited to the
exploration of human emotion and experience, and as such, it has been used to
address a variety of themes and issues throughout English literature.
Who are some contemporary poets who use the sonnet form?
Contemporary poets such as Claudia Rankine, Terrance Hayes,
and Ocean Vuong have used the sonnet form to explore personal and political
themes in their poetry.
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