Question

Ready to try it? Below are six sentences in iambic pentameter. If you want, use them as starting points for your own poetry. You might use one as your first line, or even find a way to combine several of them in the same poem. Remember that you can write a traditional sonnet (iambic pentameter and the abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme) or a 14-line poem with a volta.

1. The night was cold but I didn't mind.
2. Your fingerprints were all around the room.
3. My father never tells me what he thinks.
4. There's something hiding underneath my bed.
5. You changed your name but couldn't change your face.
6. I couldn't think of anything to say.

Answer 1

The sonnet is a form of lyrical poetry originating in Italy in the 13th century. In fact, "sonnet" is derived from the Italian word sonetto, meaning "little sound" or "little song." You can spot a sonnet by its 14-line arrangement.

Within those 14 lines, you'll note that traditional sonnets also follow iambic pentameter. That is, each line contains five iambs (or sets of two syllables) where the first syllable is unstressed and the second syllable is stressed (i.e., he ROSE). Even though modern poets sometimes deviate from this standard for effect, it's important to see how it all began.

Let's explore different sonnet examples, as well as a sampling from some of the greatest poetic masters.

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Sonnet Examples

The sonnet is a form of lyrical poetry originating in Italy in the 13th century. In fact, "sonnet" is derived from the Italian word sonetto, meaning "little sound" or "little song." You can spot a sonnet by its 14-line arrangement.

Within those 14 lines, you'll note that traditional sonnets also follow iambic pentameter. That is, each line contains five iambs (or sets of two syllables) where the first syllable is unstressed and the second syllable is stressed (i.e., he ROSE). Even though modern poets sometimes deviate from this standard for effect, it's important to see how it all began.

Let's explore different sonnet examples, as well as a sampling from some of the greatest poetic masters.

Types of Sonnets

There are two main types of sonnets: Italian and English sonnets. From there, two other versions evolved: Miltonic sonnets and Spenserian sonnets. Let's start with the Italian sonnet, the form that seems to have the deepest roots.

Italian Sonnets

The first and most common type of sonnet is the Italian sonnet, otherwise known as the Petrarchan sonnet. Giacomo da Lentini is attributed as the inventor of this form of poetry, even though they're named after Francesco Petrarca (commonly referred to simply as Petrarch), one of the most revered Italian poets.

Giacomo de Lentini penned almost 250 sonnets. Other notable sonneteers from Italy include Dante Alighieri, Guido Cavalcanti, and Michelangelo.

These sonnets are divided into two stanzas. The first stanza contains eight lines, or an octave; the second stanza contains six lines, or a sestet. In an Italian sonnet, there is a "volta" or "turn," which signals a change from the proposition of the poem to its resolution. The volta usually appears in the ninth line.

Initially, the rhyme scheme for the octave was ABABABAB. Eventually, it evolved into ABBAABBA. The sestet is either CDECDE or CDCCDC. Later, the variation of CDCDCD was introduced.

You'll note that, while Italian sonnets generally follow iambic pentameter, the meter for the sestet tends to be more flexible. Meaning, either the first (iamb) or the second (troche) syllable may be stressed in the two-syllable metric "foot."

The rhyming nature of these poems lent itself well to the lyricism of the Italian language. Of course, nowadays, you'll find many fine examples written in the English language too.