Sonnet-
The sonnet is one of several forms of lyric poetry
originating in Europe. The term "sonnet" derives from the Occitan word sonet and the Italian word sonetto, both meaning "little song" or "little sound". By the thirteenth century, it had come to signify a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. The conventions associated with the sonnet have evolved over its history. The writers of sonnets are sometimes referred to as "sonneteers," although the term can be used derisively. One of the best-known sonnet writers is William Shakespeare, who wrote 154 of them (not including those that appear in his plays). A Shakespearean, or English, sonnet consists of 14 lines, each line containing ten syllables and written in iambic pentameter, in which a pattern of an unemphasized syllable followed by an emphasized syllable is repeated five times. The rhyme scheme in a Shakespearean sonnet is a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g; the last two lines are a rhyming couplet. ( Yes, I stole this from Wikipedia.)Shakespearian Sonnet-
Rules of an Shakespearian Sonnet: Shakespearean Sonnet consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter divided into 3 quatrains and 1 couplet. Shakespearean Sonnets use the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg. The couplet provides a final commentary on the subject that was discussed
Iambic Pentameter: lines of poetry that can be divided into 5 metric feet with alternately unstressed and stressed syllables.
Italian Sonnet-
Rules of an Italian Sonnet: The 14 lines of the Italian Sonnet are divided into two parts: an octave (the first 8 lines ) and the sestet (the last six lines). The usual rhyme scheme for the octave is abbaabba. The rhyme scheme for the sestet may be cdecde, cdccdc, or a similar variation. The octave generally presents a problem or raises a question and the sestet resolves or comments on the question.
Milton Sonnet-
Rules of an Milton Sonnet: This is his first poem to contemplate the poet’s blindness. His sonnet’s rhyme scheme resembles the Petrarchan (Italian) form: ABBAABBACDECDE, but unlike the Petrarchan (Italian) which sets up a problem in the octave and resolves it in the sestet, the Miltonic sonnet simply continues addressing the theme set up in the opening lines. If there is a happy resolution to a problem, it is usually quite by happy accident.
Spenser Sonnet-
Rules of a Spenser Sonnet: A Spenser sonnet consists of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter divided into 3 quatrains and 1 couplet. Spenserian sonnets use the interlocking rhyme scheme abab cbcb cdcd ee. This rhyme scheme reinforces the relationship of ideas between the quatrains.
