Sonnets are one of the oldest forms of poetry and are considered to be the highest form of lyrical art. The term ‘sonnet’ comes from the Latin word ‘sonnetto’, meaning a ‘small song’. A sonnet is a 14 line poem, traditionally written in iambic pentameter, and is usually composed as a single or a connected series of quatrains. Traditionally, sonnets are divided into two kinds: Italian or Petrarchan and English or Shakespearean, but there are other varieties as well.
The Italian or Petrarchan sonnet is composed of two divisions, an octave and a sestet. The octave, normally consisting of 8 lines, introduces the theme and then links it to its resolution in the sestet, which has six lines. The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet is usually either CDECDE or CDCDCD. The Shakespearean sonnet has three divisions, a quatrain, an octave and a sestet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. These sonnets usually deal with love and beauty, but can also be used to explore other themes.
The beauty of a sonnet lies in its perfection of form and sound. The rigid structure and tight rhyme provide the perfect backdrop for the words to express emotion, conveying the feelings of love, beauty, longing and despair. As with most poetry, the sonnet relies on imagery to create an atmosphere, with powerful words and phrases creating vivid pictures in the mind of the reader.
Although sonnets traditionally have fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme, more modern versions often have fewer lines and more flexible rhyme schemes. These variations often allow for greater creativity and more personal expression, with the poet being free to explore different ideas and themes. Sonnets can take any form of language, from the complex to the simple, and can explore any subject, including love, loss, faith and life itself.
In conclusion, the sonnet is a timeless form of poetry that has captivated and inspired generations. While it can be immensely complex and demanding, the challenge of working within a strict form and rhyme pattern can yield truly beautiful results. The sonnet is a powerful tool, capable of conveying a wide range of ideas and emotions, and can be one of the most rewarding writing experiences.
History of the Sonnet
The first recorded sonnets were written during the Italian Renaissance, with the most famous being those composed by the poet Petrarch. Petrarch’s sonnets explored courtly love, with the poet expressing his own emotions and experiences. Petrarch’s work was later translated and popularised by other poets, including Shakespeare.
Shakespeare was the most influential sonnet writer, composing 154 sonnets dealing mainly with love, loss and the inexorable passage of time. His works have stood the test of time, with countless others being inspired by them and building upon the form. Other great writers whose works are famous in the genre include Edmund Spenser and John Keats.
Sonnet Examples
One of the best examples of a sonnet is William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116. In this poem, the speaker declares himself an advocate of love, no matter what storms may come about. He describes his love for another as being “ever-fixed”, and states that it does not alter with time, nor will it be affected by any hardships. This sonnet has become an iconic example of the power and beauty of love.
Another famous sonnet is John Donne’s “Death, Be Not Proud”, which takes the form of a prayer to the Grim Reaper. Here, the speaker attempts to lessen Death’s power by urging him not to be proud and to instead be humble and deferential, as death is inevitable and a “servant of God”.
Types of Sonnets
The two main types of sonnets are the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet and the English or Shakespearean sonnet. Other varieties, however, include the Spenserian sonnet, named after poet Edmund Spenser, which uses a quatrain and couplet structure. There is also the Elizabethan sonnet, which is similar to the traditional form but has a more flexible rhyme scheme. Additionally, more modern variations include the one-line sonnet, the prose sonnet and the syllabic sonnet.
The one-line sonnet consists of a single line of verse, such as this example from Conrad Aiken: “Music I heard with you was more than music, and bread I broke with you was more than bread”. This form is unusual and playful, allowing the poet to condense their thoughts into a single poignant phrase.
The prose sonnet is written in prose rather than verse, often having a narrative structure. These sonnets usually have at least five sentences, though they can also be longer. Prose sonnets are often used to explore more complex ideas, and to tell stories in a creative and concise way.
Syllabic sonnets are similar to traditional sonnets but use a different syllable structure. The lines in a traditional sonnet are typically made up of five iambs, or stressed-unstressed syllables. The syllabic sonnet, on the other hand, is composed of lines of varying lengths with no specific feet pattern. This can be used to create interesting variations in sound and rhythm.
Sonnets in Popular Culture
The popularity of sonnets has extended beyond the realm of poetry, with them appearing in popular culture in various forms. Musicians, for example, have been known to use sonnets in their songwriting. Bob Dylan, for example, wrote a song based on John Donne’s “Death, Be Not Proud”, while Daft Punk’s “Something About Us” is a re-interpretation of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116.
Sonnets have also been used to create unique TV commercials, such as John Lennon’s ad for United Airlines in 1979. The commercial consists of Lennon reciting his own sonnet about love, concluding with the iconic phrase “All You Need Is Love”, taken from The Beatles’ song of the same name.
There are also numerous movies and plays based on the works of sonneteers, such as the much-loved Baz Luhrmann film “Romeo + Juliet” which is based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name. Novelists, too, have been inspired by sonnets, with Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Hours” taking its title from the first line of Virginia Woolf’s poem “The Hours”.
Conclusion
The sonnet is a powerful and flexible form of poetry that has endured the test of time and continues to influence and inspire artists in multiple disciplines. In its various forms, the sonnet has been used to express almost any emotion or idea, making it a timeless and versatile art form that will no doubt remain a beloved tool of creative expression.
