introduction to literature : Sonnets (group 4)

Introduction to Literature

By Group 4:

1.Abadi Sidiq Pawiat Purna (2113037)

2. Vahdatul Nindiana Reza (2113038)

3. Desva Ariasanti (2113039)

4. Ratna Sari (2113040)

SONNETS

1.      Definition of sonnets

The sonnet is a fourteen-line lyric poem and is written in iambic pentameter. Each line has 10 syllables. It means a small or little song or lyric. “Lyric” means the poem expresses a person’s emotions, as opposed to, say, telling a story. The word sonnet is derived from the Italian word “sonetto”. It has a specific rhyme scheme and a “volta” or a specific turn.

Iambic pentameter is a commonly used type of metrical line in traditional English poetry and verse drama. The term describes the rhythm that the words establish in that line, which is measured in small groups of syllables called "feet". The word "iambic" refers to the type of foot that is used, known as the iamb, which in English is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The word "pentameter" indicates that a line has five of these "feet".

Generally, sonnets are divided into different groups based on the rhyme scheme they follow. The rhymes of a sonnet are arranged according to a certain rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme in English is usually abab-cdcd-efef-gg and in Italian abba-abba-cde-cde.

2.      Function of Sonnet

The sonnet has become popular among different poets because it has a great adaptability to different purposes and requirements. Rhythms are strictly followed. It could be a perfect poetic style for elaboration or expression of a single feeling or thought with its short length in iambic pentameter. In fact, it gives an ideal laboratory to a poet for exploration of strong emotions. Due to its short length, it is easy to manage for both the writer and the reader.

3.      Types of sonnets

There are two main types of sonnets in English, the Italian or Petrarchan form, and the English or Shakespearean form. The difference starts in the rhyme scheme, but affects the kind of thoughts expressed in the poem.

The Italian sonnet is a two-part poem, consisting of one eight-line part, the octave, and one six-line part, the sestet. The rhymes in the octave are closely linked in the pattern abbaabba.

1)      Italian Sonnet or Petrarchan Sonnet

Italian or Petrarchan sonnet was introduced by an Italian poet Francesco Petrarch of 14th century.

Being one day at my window all alone,

So manie strange things happened me to see,
As much as it grieveth me to thinke thereon.
At my right hand a hynde appear’d to mee,
So faire as mote the greatest god delite;
Two eager dogs did her pursue in chace.
Of which the one was blacke, the other white:
With deadly force so in their cruell race
They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,
That at the last, and in short time, I spide,
Under a rocke, where she alas, opprest,
Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.
Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie
Oft makes me wayle so hard a desire.

(Visions by Francesco Petrarch)

The rhyme scheme of Petrarchan sonnet has first eight lines called octet that rhymes as abba -abba –cdc-dcd. The remaining six lines called sestet might have a range of rhyme schemes.

2)      Shakespearean Sonnet

A Shakespearean sonnet is generally written in an iambic pentameter, there are 10 syllables in each line. The rhythmof the lines must be as below:

From fairest creatures we desire increase,
That thereby beauty’s rose might never die.
But as the riper should by time decease,
His tender heir might bear his memory:
But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes,
Feed’st thy light’s flame with self-substantial fuel,
Making a famine where abundance lies,
Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel.
Thou that art now the world’s fresh ornament
And only herald to the gaudy spring,
Within thine own bud buriest thy content
And, tender churl, mak’st waste in niggarding.
Pity the world, or else this glutton be,
To eat the world’s due, by the grave and thee

(William Shakespeare)

The rhyme scheme of Shakespearian sonnet is abab-cdcd-efef-gg and this is difficult to follow. Hence only Shakespeare is known to have done it.

 

4. How to Write A Sonnet

Instead, let’s focus on the five things that most sonnets have in common:

1.      They are written in iambic pentameter.

2.      They are fourteen lines long.

3.      They have a set rhyme scheme.

4.      They have a turn or “volta.”

5.      They all bear the name “sonnet.”

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonnet

http://www.sonnetwriters.com/how-to-write-a-sonnet/

http://petrarch.petersadlon.com/submissions/Sonnet.pdf