Final answer:
The Shakespearian sonnet consists of three quatrains and a couplet with a rhyme scheme of abab bcbc cdcd ee. It is traditionally written in iambic pentameter, and the volta typically appears before the final couplet or between the octave and sestet.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Shakespearian sonnet, sometimes referred to as an English sonnet, consists of three quatrains and a couplet, featuring an interlocking rhyme scheme of abab bcbc cdcd ee. This type of sonnet is typically composed in iambic pentameter and the volta, or turn in thought, traditionally occurs either after the twelfth line, just before the final couplet that sums up the poem's theme, or sometimes between the octave and the sestet, which is between the eighth and ninth lines.
For example, many of Shakespeare's sonnets utilize this structure to explore themes of love, time, beauty, and mortality. They are known for their expressive depth within the restrictive form, demonstrating Shakespeare's mastery over language and poetic structure.
It's important to note that while there are variations of sonnets, including the Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet and the Spenserian sonnet, the one described here with the specific rhyme scheme abab bcbc cdcd ee is the Shakespearian sonnet.