Final answer:
The structure of Shakespeare's sonnets follows a specific pattern, with fourteen lines divided into an octet and a sextet.
The most well-known structure is the Shakespearian sonnet with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Shakespearian sonnet is structured with 14 lines and is usually written in iambic pentameter, following the rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
This specific structure breaks down into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet (two-line stanza), allowing significant freedom within strict form to explore variations of a theme or argument.
The volta, or turn in thought, typically appears before the final couplet, emphasizing a shift or resolution in the poem's subject.
The Petrarchan sonnet is composed of an octave with an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme, followed by a sextet that can have varying rhyme schemes. The volta in the Petrarchan sonnet occurs between the octave and the sestet, signaling a shift in argument or perspective.
Adapting the Petrarchan form, the Spenserian sonnet follows the rhyme scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. Here, the link between quatrains is more pronounced, leading smoothly into the couplet at the end.
All forms showcase the poet's skill within the confines of a fixed form, often addressing themes of love, life experiences, or philosophical questions.