What is a Sonnet?
Welcome to the 'What is a Sonnet?' page of Bradbury Wedding Sonnets & Words. Here, we aim to provide you with a detailed understanding of the poetic form known as the sonnet, its origins, and how we specialise in creating bespoke sonnets for weddings and other special occasions.
The History of the Sonnet
The sonnet is a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter with a specific rhyme scheme.
Iambic pentameter is described in the next section.
Originating in Italy in the 13th century, the sonnet gained popularity in England during the Renaissance period, with poets like William Shakespeare and John Donne contributing to its evolution.
The sonnet typically ponders love and the eternal nature of that emotion.
Sonnet Structure and Form
A traditional sonnet consists of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines), with a volta or turn in the argument usually occurring between the two sections. The rhyme scheme varies depending on the type of sonnet, such as the Petrarchan, Shakespearean, or Spenserian forms.
Iambic pentameter means that there are 10 syllables per line of poetry. The rhyming scheme typical of a Shakespearean sonnet is dictated by the alternate rhymes at the end of each line. Described below, lines which are demarked as ending with the same structural letter must rhyme. The rhymes alternate until the last two lines when the final wording rhymes are are same.
Line 1.....rhyme A
Line 2......rhyme B
Line 3......rhyme A
Line 4.......rhyme B
Line 5.......rhyme C
Line 6.......rhyme D
Line 7.......rhyme C
Line 8.......rhyme D
Line 9.......rhyme E
Line 10.....rhyme F
Line 11.....rhyme E
Line 12.....rhyme F
Line 13......rhyme G
Line 14......rhyme G
Our Custom Sonnet Creation Service
At Bradbury Wedding Sonnets & Words, we specialise in crafting bespoke sonnets for weddings, vows, and love letters. I will work closely with you to capture your unique love story and emotions in the timeless form of a classic sonnet.
Ready to immortalise your love in verse?
Contact us today to discuss your custom sonnet creation, wedding vows writing, or love letter composition needs. Let us help you express your deepest feelings through the beauty of poetry.