Form

Question 1

What is the outline of the Petrarchan sonnet form?

Answer 1

• octave (abbaabba)

- sestet (cdecde) or (cdcdcd)

Question 2

As per the Petrarchan sonnet form, what is the purpose of the octave? (various)

Answer 2

• introduce a problem
• express a desire
• reflect on reality
• present a situation which causes doubt or conflict in speaker’s soul

Question 3

As per the Petrarchan sonnet form, what is the beginning of the sestet called and what does it do?

Answer 3

• beginning called the volta

- introduces a change in tone in the sonnet

Question 4

What is the outline of the Wyatt sonnet form?

Answer 4

• octave (abbaabba)
• quatrain (cddc)
• couplet (ee)

Question 5

As per the Wyatt sonnet form, what is the purpose of the octave? (various)

Answer 5

• introduce a problem
• express a desire
• reflect on reality
• present a situation which causes doubt or conflict in speaker’s soul

Question 6

What is the outline of the Shakespearean sonnet form?

Answer 6

• 3 quatrains (abab) (cdcd) (efef)

- couplet (gg)

Question 7

As per the Shakespearean sonnet form, where does the volta come?

Answer 7

• often in the first line of the third quatrain

Question 8

As per the Shakespearean sonnet form, what does the final rhyming couplet do?

Answer 8

• offers a different perspective or view to the quatrains