Definition
A 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter, typically exploring themes of love, beauty, or mortality, with a specific rhyme scheme depending on the form (Shakespearean/English or Petrarchan/Italian). The sonnet reached peak popularity during the Renaissance and remains a fundamental form in English poetry.
Example Usage
Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets that are considered masterpieces of the English language.
Origin
From Italian 'sonetto,' derived from 'suono' (sound), referring to a 'little sound' or 'little song'; the form originated in Italy in the 13th century.
Fun Fact
The Shakespearean sonnet ends with a rhyming couplet that often provides a twist or resolution, sometimes completely overturning the argument made in the preceding 12 lines.
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