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William Shakespeare’s Sonnets

william shakespeare's sonnets
What is Sonnet?

A Sonnet is a very popular and classical form of Poetry. Traditionally, Sonnet is a fourteen-line poem which is written in an Iambic Pentameter that expresses a thought or idea and utilizes an established rhyme scheme and structured thematic organization.

  • A sonnet is a poetic form that has been used for centuries and is characterized by its specific structure and rhyme scheme.
  • The word “sonnet” is derived from the Italian word “sonetto,” meaning “a little song” or “a small sound.”
  • Sonnets traditionally deal with themes of love, beauty, politics, and mortality.
  • The two most well-known types of sonnets are the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet and the English or Shakespearean sonnet.
Shakespearean Sonnets

William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets published in his ‘quarto’ in 1609. The vast majority of these sonnets are addressed to an unnamed attractive young man who represents beauty, love, and praise. The first 126 of Shakespeare’s sonnets are addressed to a young man, and the last 28 addressed to a woman – a mysterious ‘dark lady’.

Shakespearean sonnets, also known as Elizabethan or English sonnets, have distinctive features that set them apart from other forms of poetry. Shakespeare’s sonnets are celebrated for their poetic craftsmanship, exploration of universal themes, and timeless relevance. Here are some key features of Shakespearean sonnets:

  1. Structure:
    • 14 lines: Shakespearean sonnets consist of 14 lines.
    • Iambic Pentameter: Each line is typically written in iambic pentameter, which means it has ten syllables per line with a pattern of unstressed followed by stressed syllables.

  2. Rhyme Scheme:
    • The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. It can be divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a rhymed couplet (two-line stanza).

  3. Quatrains and Couplet:
    • The sonnet is divided into three quatrains, each presenting a different idea or aspect of the main theme.
    • The final two lines form a rhymed couplet. This couplet often provides a resolution, twist, or commentary on the preceding quatrains.

  4. Volta or Turn:
    • Each sonnet typically contains a “volta” or a thematic turn. This is a shift in tone, argument, or emotion that occurs between the quatrains and the final couplet. The volta often marks a change from a problem or question to a resolution or answer.

  5. Iambic Pentameter:
    • The meter used in Shakespearean sonnets is iambic pentameter. This rhythmic pattern consists of five iambs per line, where an iamb is a pair of syllables with the stress on the second syllable.

  6. Themes:
    • Common themes in Shakespearean sonnets include love, beauty, time, mortality, and the power of poetry itself. The poet often explores complex emotions and philosophical ideas within the constraints of the sonnet form.

  7. Use of Imagery and Metaphor:
    • Shakespeare employs vivid imagery and metaphorical language to convey complex emotions and ideas. Nature, seasons, and elements are often used as metaphors to explore human experiences.

  8. Address to the Fair Youth or Dark Lady:
    • Many of Shakespeare’s sonnets are addressed to a young man, commonly referred to as the Fair Youth, or a mysterious woman known as the Dark Lady. The sonnets express the poet’s feelings, admiration, and sometimes frustration in these relationships.

All 154 Shakespearean  Sonnets with Analysis


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