Here's the breakdown:
* 14 lines: The sonnet's defining characteristic.
* Fixed rhyme scheme: Shakespearean sonnets follow the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
* Definite meter: Shakespearean sonnets use iambic pentameter, meaning each line has 10 syllables with an alternating pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables (like "da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM").
* Octave and Sestet: The sonnet is divided into two parts: an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines). The octave typically presents a problem or situation, while the sestet offers a resolution, reflection, or twist.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about sonnets or other poetic forms!