SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET Meaning and
Definition
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A Shakespearean Sonnet, also known as an English Sonnet or the Shakespeare Sonnet, is a form of sonnet developed by the renowned English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It consists of 14 lines, usually written in iambic pentameter, a metrical pattern where each line contains five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.
The Shakespearean Sonnet follows a specific rhyme scheme, which is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet. The rhyme scheme can be represented as ABABCDCDEFEFGG, where each letter corresponds to a specific rhyming sound.
Typically, a Shakespearean Sonnet follows a specific structure. The first three quatrains present three distinct ideas or arguments, and the rhymes shift slightly in each quatrain to create poetic variation. In the final rhymed couplet, the poet either sums up the main theme or presents a contrasting idea or surprise twist, known as the volta or turn. This volta is often considered the key characteristic of a Shakespearean Sonnet, allowing for a change in tone or perspective.
Shakespearean Sonnets traditionally explore themes of love, beauty, time, and the fleeting nature of life. They provide a concise and expressive form for the poet to delve into complex emotions, evoke vivid imagery, and captivate readers through the use of poetic language and intricately crafted rhymes. Shakespeare's sonnets are often regarded as some of the greatest examples of this form, showcasing his mastery of language, depth of emotions, and the timeless appeal of his work.
Common Misspellings for SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET
- ahakespearean sonnet
- zhakespearean sonnet
- xhakespearean sonnet
- dhakespearean sonnet
- ehakespearean sonnet
- whakespearean sonnet
- sgakespearean sonnet
- sbakespearean sonnet
- snakespearean sonnet
- sjakespearean sonnet
- suakespearean sonnet
- syakespearean sonnet
- shzkespearean sonnet
- shskespearean sonnet
- shwkespearean sonnet
- shqkespearean sonnet
- shajespearean sonnet
- shamespearean sonnet
- shalespearean sonnet
Etymology of SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET
The word Shakespearean Sonnet refers to a specific form of a sonnet, which was popularized by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. The etymology of the word Shakespearean is derived from Shakespeare's last name. It is believed that the term was coined to describe the distinct style and structure often seen in Shakespeare's sonnets. In his collection of 154 sonnets, which were published in 1609, Shakespeare popularized the iambic pentameter pattern, a specific rhyme scheme (ABABCDCDEFEFGG), and a specific structure consisting of three quatrains followed by a final couplet. These characteristics have come to be associated with the term Shakespearean Sonnet.
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