Shakespearean Sonnet

by S. L. P. Van der Veer (with poem by Vincent Drew III)

Winter 2002

This issue, we focus on the Shakespearean, or English, sonnet, perhaps the best known of the sonnet forms. Other forms of the sonnet will be featured in future issues. Sonnet literally means “a little song”, and originally, it described any short lyric poem. Primarily due to Italian influence, the term soon had a more precise meaning: a 14 line poem, consisting of an octave (8 line stanza) and a sestet (6 line stanza), thematically divided into two parts. The first part presents the situation or problem; the second comments on or resolves it. The Shakespearean sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a closing couplet. In the Shakespearean sonnet, the resolution occurs in the final couplet. Some sources will refer to the couplet as a heroic couplet. In poetry terms, heroic refers to iambic pentameter (alternating unstressed and stressed syllables; pentameter indicating five such pairs), the meter in which most epic (heroic) poems in English are written. However, since Shakespearean sonnets are written entirely in iambic pentameter, it seems a redundant descriptive.

The sonnet form was brought to England from Italy by Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-42). Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517-47) introduced the rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg for the sonnet. This use of seven rhymes, instead of the five used in the Italian form, made the form easier to use with the relatively rhyme-poor English language. Shakespeare (1564-1616) is credited with bringing the English sonnet to its finest presentation, with his name becoming synonymous with the form.

The terza rima (Bardic Circle-DS, Spring 2001) is a variation of the sonnet, with interlinked tercets. The poet Baudelaire used the sonettessa, or reversed Shakespearean sonnet, where the sestet precedes the octave.

The Journey

by Vincent Drew III

 

A patient man may see the way to truth,

Through tribulation, trying times and fear.

With all the perseverance of his youth

And wisdom gained within each passing year.

A lucky man may have an ally true,

As often old fate turns a friendly face.

And envious, his neighbor seeks his due,

By wishing he were in his neighbors’ place.

The working man may truly struggle hard

Work swifter than his age is what he learns,

So when his fortune passes to his ward,

A grateful lad may cherish what he earns.

 

And so do each of us our journeys’ brave

As each digs different paths into their grave.

For Additional Information

William Shakespeare. Sonnets (various publishers).

Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Sonnets from the Portuguese.

John Keats. When I have fears that I may cease to be; Bright star! Would I were steadfast as thou art -- ; and others.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The House of Life.

Christina Rossetti.

www.shakespeares-sonnets.com

www.sonnets.org

www.uni.edu/~gotera/CraftOfPoetry

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