What is a sonnet ?

Question: What is a sonnet !?

What is a sonnet !?

gary bechter!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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A poem in a structured form!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The term "sonnet" derives from the Occitan word sonet and the Italian word sonetto, both meaning "little song!." By the thirteenth century, it had come to signify a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure!. The conventions associated with the sonnet have evolved over its history!. The writers of sonnets are sometimes referred to as "sonneteers," although the term can be used derisively!. Many modern writers of sonnets choose simply to be called "sonnet writers!." One of the most well known sonnet writers is Shakespeare, who wrote 154 sonnets!.

Traditionally, when writing sonnets, English poets usually employ iambic pentameter!. In the Romance languages, the hendecasyllable and Alexandrine are the most widely used metres!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A Sonnet is a poem consisting of 14 lines (iambic pentameter) with a particular rhyming scheme:

Examples of a rhyming scheme:

#1) abab cdcd efef gg
#2) abba cddc effe gg
#3) abba abba cdcd cd

A Shakespearean (English) sonnet has three quatrains and a couplet, and rhymes abab cdcd efef gg!.

An Italian sonnet is composed of an octave, rhyming abbaabba, and a sestet, rhyming cdecde or cdcdcd, or in some variant pattern, but with no closing couplet!.

Usually, English and Italian Sonnets have 10 syllables per line, but Italian Sonnets can also have 11 syllables per line!.

French sonnets follow in this same pattern, but normally have 12 syllables per line!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

ab/ab poem scheme!. 14 lines!. shakespeare used this!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

14 lined poemWww@QuestionHome@Com