Concetti Chiave
- The sonnet originated in Italy, invented by Iacopo da Lentini, with Petrarca's Canzoniere setting a model for European poets.
- Italian sonnets feature an octave presenting a problem and a sestet offering a solution, often marked by a turning point between them.
- English sonnets, introduced by Sir Thomas Wyatt and evolved by Henry Howard, consist of three quatrains and a concluding couplet.
- Sidney and Spenser, important English poets, were influenced by Petrarca and their works demonstrated the cultural significance of Protestant poetry.
- Shakespeare's sonnets, published in 1609, include 154 poems divided into sections addressing a young man and a "dark lady", breaking traditional themes.
Origins of the Sonnet
The sonnet came from Italy, It was invented by Iacopo da Lentini. The most important poet of this new kind of poetry was Petrarca who wrote the Canzoniere that became a model for all European poets.
Italian sonnet consist of one octave that presents the problem and one sestet that contains the solution. Often in the end of 8th line ther is a turning-point and the 9th line starts with word like : if, so, and.
Evolution of the Sonnet in England
English sonnet consist of 3 quatrains that contains 1 main theme or 3 main theme and 1 couplet that contains the conclusion.
Sir Thomas Wyatt introduced the Petrarchan sonnet into England, but he changed its form by substituting a third coupk and his successor Henry Howard introduced 3 quatrains and 1 couplet. The main theme of English sonnet were the poet’s love for one lady who cannot return his love; the lady coldness drives the poet to madness and desperation. It shows by use of oxymoron that combines two contradictory terms.
Influential Poets of the English Sonnet
the most important poets of this new kind of poetry was Sidney attended the court of Elizabeth I; he encouraged new poet like Spenser. His most important work was Astrophel and Stella that contains 108 sonnet and 11 songs. Sidney was influenced by Petrarca, in facr the main theme of his sonnet was the lover laments that his love wasn’t returned.
Spenser wrote some sonnet to queen Elizabeth I; His most important work was Amoretti where describes the love story with his wife.
According to Sidney and Spenser, poetry offered skills to monarch and would demonstrate that the Protestant culture was as important as the Christian’s culture.
Shakespeare and His Sonnets
Shakespeare's sonnets
Shakespeare’s sonnets were published in 1609. The collection includes 154 sonnets. He didn’t use the italian form of 1 octave and 1 sestet but use 3 quatrains and 1 couplet.
The sonnets can be divided into two sections. The first was addresed to a young man. In the sonnet 1 to 28 poet encouraged the young man to marry and preserve his beauty and virtutes through his children.
Sonnet 28 to 126 deal with different topics like the destructive power of time and moral weakness.
The second section was addressed to dark lady. The choice of the addressees is a novelty of Shakespeare who breaks with petrarchan tradition. In fact the love’s sonnet was addressed by Shakespeare to a young man instead to a lady. the main Theme of shakespearian sonnet were the time, death, love, beauty and art.
Domande da interrogazione
- Who is credited with inventing the sonnet, and which poet popularized it in Europe?
- What themes were commonly explored in English sonnets, and which poets were influential in this tradition?
The sonnet was invented by Iacopo da Lentini, and it was popularized in Europe by Petrarca, whose work "Canzoniere" became a model for European poets.
English sonnets often explored themes of unrequited love, with the poet's affection for a lady who cannot return his love, leading to madness and desperation. Influential poets included Sidney, who wrote "Astrophel and Stella," and Spenser, known for "Amoretti."
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