SESTET Meaning and
Definition
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A sestet is a term derived from Italian and is commonly used in poetry. It refers to the final six lines of a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The sestet usually follows the octave, which is the first eight lines of the sonnet, and serves as the conclusion or resolution to the ideas presented in the octave.
Typically, the sestet follows a different rhyme scheme than the octave. While the octave usually follows the pattern ABBAABBA (with variations in some sonnet forms), the sestet commonly follows either CDECDE, CDCDCD, or CDEDCE. This separate rhyme scheme adds a sense of contrast or transition to the structure of the sonnet.
The sestet often explores or develops the themes introduced in the octave. It can elaborate on the problem or conflict presented in the first part of the sonnet and offer a resolution, a shift in perspective, a solution, or a summation of thoughts. The sestet is, therefore, crucial in completing the overall meaning and impact of the sonnet.
In addition to sonnets, the term sestet can also refer to any six-line stanza in a poem, regardless of the rhyme scheme or poem form. In this broader context, the sestet serves as a unit of verse that presents a self-contained idea or contributes to the overall structure and meaning of the poem.
Common Misspellings for SESTET
Etymology of SESTET
The word "sestet" derives from the Italian word "sesto", meaning "sixth". In traditional Italian poetry, a sestet refers to the final six lines of a sonnet or other poetic form. The term was later adopted into English and is commonly used to describe the six-line stanza of a poem, particularly in verse forms such as the sonnet or the villanelle.
Similar spelling words for SESTET
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