Structure of a sonnet

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The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (DRAE) defines the sonnet as that composition of a poetic nature made up of a total of fourteen hendecasyllable verses; that is to say, of 11 syllables, which are distributed in two quartets and two triplets. Likewise, on most occasions, within each quartet, the first and fourth verse share rhyme, as do the second and third.

In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we will review the definition of sonnet within the scope of Spanish poetry and we will see what is the structure of a sonnet, ending the explanation with a series of examples of some of the most representative sonnets in Spanish literature.

Index

1. What is a sonnet in poetry
2. How a sonnet is structured
3. Examples of sonnets (I)

Within the scope of Spanish poetry, a sonnet is a type of classic poetic structure that comes from cultured poetry. The origin of this poetic composition is uncertain, since it is not known for sure when it began to be used; However, it has been pointed out that it could originate in the Middle Ages, when poets experimented with different metric forms to compose their poetry. But it is known with certainty that the sonnet is

The theme of the sonnet is very varied, since, hand in hand with this characteristic metric structure, the poets tell us about love, heartbreak, loneliness, abandonment, summer, faith, joy, sadness, pain for the loss of being loved, etc.

The structure of the sonnet is what most characterizes this lyrical composition. Every sonnet must consist of fourteen verses and each of them must be composed in turn by eleven syllables; that is, it is about hendecasyllable verses.

In addition, the sonnet is always divided into four stanzas well differentiated: on the one hand, we have the first and the second stanza made up of four verses (that is, they are two quartets) and the last two stanzas, the third and the fourth composed of three verses (that is, we have two triplets).

Refering to sonnet metric, this, generally, is of rhyme, and follows the following metric scheme: ABBA ABBA CDC CDC. However, this scheme may vary depending on one poet or another or from one era to another. Another possible scheme is the following: ABBA ABBA CDE CDE.

In any case, we are always before verses of major art, since they must always be hendecasyllables and, therefore, their metric analysis must be carried out using the letters uppercase instead of lowercase letters, reserved for the metric study of poetry written in verses of art less.

In this other lesson from a PROFESSOR we tell you how to measure a poem.

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Here we show you some of the most universal and representative sonnets in literature Spanish to serve as an example and help you easily recognize the structure of a sonnet:

A sonnet tells me to do Violante,

that in my life I have been in such a predicament;

fourteen verses say it is sonnet:

mocking mocking go the three in front.

I thought it would not find a consonant

and I'm in the middle of another quartet;

but if I see myself in the first triplet

there is nothing in quartets that scares me.

For the first triplet I am entering

and it seems that I entered on the right foot,

Well, end with this verse I am giving.

I'm already in the second, and I still suspect

that I am finishing the thirteen verses;

count if there are fourteen, and it is done. (Lope de Vega)

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