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ELIZABETHAN SONNET AND SONNET SEQUENCES, The term sonnet comes from the Italian word sonnetto meaning a small song or lyric. A sonnet is, a short poem of fourteen lines, written in iambic pentameter that follows a definite rhyme, scheme. Different kinds of sonnets have different rhyme schemes. A sonnet is complete in itself, and expresses in condensed form one thing, one idea or one emotion., The two major kinds of sonnets are the Petrarchan or Italian sonnet and the Shakespearean or, English sonnet., The Petrarchan or Italian sonnet is named after the fourteenth century Italian poet Petrarch., The Petrarchan sonnet is divided into two parts: an octave (first eight lines) and a sestet (the last, six lines). There is usually a pause or break in thought between the octave and sestet called, the volta, or turn. Traditionally, one main thought or problem is set out in the octave and brought, to a resolution in the sestet. The rhyme scheme of the Petrarchan sonnet is abbaabba (octave), cdccdc (sestet). Other variations of the rhyme scheme also include abbaabba cdcdcd or, abbaabba cdecde., The Shakespearean or English sonnet was actually developed in the sixteenth century by the, Earl of Surrey, but is named after Shakespeare because of his great sonnet sequence written in, this particular form. The Shakespearean sonnet has the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg,, arranged in three quatrains (four lines in a group) and a closing couplet (two rhymed lines). The, problem is usually developed in the first three quatrains, each quatrain with a new idea growing, out of the previous one. Unlike the Petrarchan sonnet, the Shakespearean sonnet is brought to a, strong and striking resolution in the epigrammatic final couplet. However, sometimes the first, two quatrains are devoted to the same thought, resembling the octave of the Petrarchan sonnet,, and followed by a similar volta in the beginning of the third quatrain., (SEE EXAMPLE BELOW TO UNDERSTAND THIS), The Spenserian sonnet is a variation of the English sonnet with the rhyme scheme abab bcbc, cdcd ee used by Edmund Spenser in his sonnet sequences., , ELIZABETHAN SONNET SEQUENCES:, Following Petrarch’s example, a number of Elizabethan poets wrote sonnet sequences,, or sonnet cycles, in which a series of sonnets are linked together by exploring the, varied aspects of a relationship between lovers, or else by indicating a development in, the relationship that constitutes an implicit plot.The chief practitioners of the Elizabethan, sonnet sequence were William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, and Sir Philip Sidney., One of the earliest practitioners of the sonnet was Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard,, Earl of Surrey. Their poems appeared in 1557 in a collection called Tottel's Miscellany.

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William Shakespeare is often considered the greatest writer of the English language. His most, famous works include one hundred and fifty four written probably between 1592 and 1597., Shakespeare's sequence was published only in 1609 and probably without his knowledge. His, sonnets, it seems, had been circulating in manuscripts for some time among his friends. Of the, 154 sonnets one hundred and twenty six only (126) sonnets are address to a young man of a, rather uncertain identity(W.H), twenty six (26) sonnet are address to an unknown dark lady and, the remaining two are addressed to Cupid, the god of love. These sonnets are not merely about, love but masculine friendship also., , Philip Sydney:-The next remarkable name among the English Sonneteers is Sir Philip Sydney., In the development of English sonnet his finest achievement was his Astrophel and Stella which, contains a series of 108 sonnets about his own frustrated love for Lady Penelope Rich, the, daughter of the Earl of Essex. Like Wyatt his sonnets owe much to Petrarch in tone and style, which places Sydney as the greatest Elizabethan sonneteer along with Shakespeare., Edmund Spenser:-Edmund Spenser, a great name is Elizabethan poetry, also attempted sonnets., His sonnet sequence Amoretti a collection of 88 Petrarchan sonnets celebrate the progress of his, love to Elizabeth Boyle who becomes his wife. The sonnets are unique in their purity of passion., They tell the story of love with remorse which ends in final union. Majority of the sonnets are, inspired by platonic idealism. Here, Spenser used his own adaptation of the English sonnet, the, Spenserian sonnet., Other practitioners of the sonnet in the Elizabethan period are Michael Drayton and Samuel, Daniel, Major themes of the Elizabethan Sonnets:, Some of the most significant themes in the Elizabethan sonnet sequences include love, time, the, value of writing, and the eternalization of beauty. Romantic love is one of the central themes;, many sonnets of the Elizabethan era wrote about the frustrations of unreciprocated love. Some,, however, like Spenser, celebrate the feelings of successful love. Some of the poems also deal, with the themes of divine love. Many of the Elizabethan sonnets also deal with love versus, desire, a theme which Sidney particularly focused on in Astrophil and Stella., Another major theme of the Elizabethan sonnet sequence is time. Shakespeare, in particular,, focused on how time could destroy nature and other beautiful things. He emphasized, reproduction as a means of eternalizing beauty, which was also a common theme in the, Elizabethan sonnets. It is portrayed in the sonnets that only love and poetry could withstand time.

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NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN EXAM ANSWER, , Sample: Shakespearean sonnet, SONNET 130, , My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; (a), Coral is far more red than her lips' red;(b), If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;(a), If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.(b), I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,(b), But no such roses see I in her cheeks; (c), And in some perfumes is there more delight (b), Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.(c), I love to hear her speak, yet well I know (c), That music hath a far more pleasing sound; (d), I grant I never saw a goddess go;(c), My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground: (d)

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And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare (e) -----→ volta, As any she belied with false compare. (e), , OR, As an unperfect actor on the stage,, Who with his fear is put besides his part,, Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage,, Whose strength’s abundance weakens his own heart;, So I, for fear of trust, forget to say, The perfect ceremony of love’s rite,, And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay,, O’ercharged with burden of mine own love’s might., O let my books be then the eloquence, (volta), And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,, Who plead for love and look for recompense, More than that tongue that more hath more expressed., O learn to read what silent love hath writ!, To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.