Buzz
The definition of 'poem' isn't exactly clear-cut. In essence, it's any collection of written or spoken words that carries a certain lyrical quality, rhythm, or structure, which is more complex than a straightforward sentence.
There are no universal rules for poetry as a whole: You're free to experiment with punctuation, rhyme schemes, formatting, grammar, and more. However, specific poem types have their own set rules. Take the haiku, for instance—it's traditionally a three-line poem, where the first and third lines have five syllables, and the middle line has seven.
A sonnet is merely another form of poem, similar to how an apple is a type of fruit. And just as there are various apple varieties—like honeycrisp or Granny Smith—sonnets come in different forms, each with its own unique characteristics.
All sonnets must contain 14 lines and follow a rhyme scheme. How the lines are grouped and which ones rhyme depends on the particular type of sonnet.
Different Varieties of Sonnets
The Petrarchan sonnet—named after the 14th-century Italian poet Petrarch, famous for his use of the form—consists of an eight-line stanza (the 'octave') followed by a six-line stanza (the 'sestet'). The octave follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the sestet can be CDECDE or CDCCDC. A prime example is Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s 'How Do I Love Thee?' which begins with 'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.'
The other prominent type is the Shakespearean sonnet, named after the legendary poet himself. Shakespeare’s sonnets are divided into three four-line stanzas (quatrains) followed by a two-line stanza (couplet). He also altered the rhyme scheme to ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. One of his best-known sonnets, 'Sonnet 130,' opens with 'My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun.'
As seen in both 'Sonnet 130' and Browning’s 'How Do I Love Thee?', sonnets are often love poems written in iambic pentameter. However, many poets have broken from these traditions, including Shakespeare, who created the Shakespearean sonnet by diverging from Petrarch’s rules.
John Milton, for instance, retained Petrarch’s rhyme scheme but opted not to divide his 14 lines into stanzas. He was also famous for focusing on political and existential themes rather than love. Milton’s influence was so profound that his sonnets are now referred to as 'Miltonic sonnets.' Similarly, Edmund Spenser’s sonnets earned enough distinction to form their own category. Spenserian sonnets follow Shakespeare’s stanza structure but feature a more cohesive rhyme scheme: ABAB BCBC CDCD EE.
In conclusion, a sonnet is a 14-line poem governed by specific rules regarding stanza breaks and rhyme schemes. But since poetry thrives on creativity and self-expression, you’re free to take inspiration from Shakespeare and create your own rules.
