- Structure: Consists of 14 lines, typically divided into an 8-line section (octave) and a 6-line section (sestet).
- Rhyme Scheme: English sonnets follow a specific rhyme scheme, usually:
- Octave: ABAB CDCD
- Sestet: CDCDCD, EFGFGF, or EFEFGG
- Theme: English sonnets often explore a central idea, emotion, or narrative, and there's a shift or turn (volta) in thought between the octave and the sestet.
Italian Sonnet/Petrachian Sonnet:
- Structure: Also consists of 14 lines, but has a different structure: two 4-line sections (quatrains) followed by two 3-line sections (tercets).
- Rhyme Scheme: Italian sonnets have a specific rhyme scheme:
- Quatrains: ABBA ABBA or CDCD CDCD
- Tercets: CDC DCD or CCD EED
- Theme: Typically deals with themes of love, adoration, or praise for a particular subject. The octave presents a problem, and the sestet offers a resolution or revelation.
In summary, the key differences are in their rhyme schemes, structural breakdowns, and themes. While both forms adhere to the sonnet's 14-line structure, they have distinct patterns of rhymes and present ideas differently.