Sonnet Poems

“Fourteen lines of turn and tension—argument shaped in rhyme and meter.”

TitleAuthorType of Poem
England, Awake!Ella Wheeler WilcoxSonnet
England! The Time Is Come When Thou Shouldst WeanWilliam WordsworthSonnet
Englands EnemyJohn Frederick FreemanSonnet
Envy.Jean BlewettSonnet
Epigram On The Conduct Of Some Few Clergymen, Who Are A Disgrace To Their Sacred ProfessionThomas OldhamSonnet
Epigram On The Late Reform And The Whig AdministrationThomas OldhamSonnet
Epitaph On CaxtonAlfred Lord TennysonSonnet
Epitaph On HowardThomas OldhamSonnet
Epitaph On Lord Stratford de RedcliffeAlfred Lord TennysonSonnet
Epitaph XIV. On Edmund Duke Of Buckingham, Who Died In The Nineteenth Year Of His Age, 1735.Alexander PopeSonnet

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.