Sonnet
Created by: Brock Powers
Overview/History of Poetic Form
Sonnet, a very old type of poetry, which means "little sound" in Italian was a poem that was normally read with a musical companion to express love.
Purpose of Poetic Form
To express love to the person/object you are speaking about.
Characteristics of Poetic Form
Sonnets have 14 lines, the poet includes at least one volta, alternating rhyme schemes and has a turn between the third quatrain and conclusion.
Example of Poetic Form
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
Can this be even she my heart holds dear?
Nay, if it be so, speak, and nothing hide.
Her very aspect seems itself beside,
And all her features of such altered cheer
That to my thinking they do not appear
Hers who makes others seem beatified.
For also the same thing befalleth us,
Yet if thou watch the movement of her eyes,
Of her thou shalt be straightaway conscious.
O weep no more; thou art all wan with sighs.
Ye ladies, walking past me piteous-eyed,
Can this be even she my heart holds dear?
Nay, if it be so, speak, and nothing hide.
Her very aspect seems itself beside,
And all her features of such altered cheer
That to my thinking they do not appear
Hers who makes others seem beatified.
‘If thou forget to know our lady thus,
For also the same thing befalleth us,
Yet if thou watch the movement of her eyes,
Of her thou shalt be straightaway conscious.
O weep no more; thou art all wan with sighs.
(Trans. D.G. Rossetti)
Works Cited
"Poetry Form - The Sonnet." Poetry Form - The Sonnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
"Poetry through the Ages." Examples of Sonnets : Poetry through the Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2014.
Sharp, William. "The Sonnet." : Its Characteristics and History (Part 2). N.p., 25 Aug. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.