What is the Difference Between Shakespearean and Petrarchan Sonnet?

The primary difference between Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets lies in their structure. Here are the key differences:

1. Structure: A Shakespearean sonnet consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a concluding couplet, while a Petrarchan sonnet has an octave (eight-line stanza) and a sestet (six-line stanza).
2. Rhyme Scheme: Shakespearean sonnets often follow the pattern ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, while Petrarchan sonnets have a specific rhyme scheme for the octave, usually ABBAABBB, and the sestet can vary, commonly following CDECDE or CDCDCD.
3. Volta: Both types of sonnets have a volta, which marks the transition to the final section. In Petrarchan sonnets, the volta usually occurs between the octave and the sestet, while in Shakespearean sonnets, the volta typically occurs between the third quatrain and the couplet.

Despite these differences, both Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets have 14 lines and are generally written in iambic pentameter. The sonnet form has been widely used by poets in different languages and cultures and remains a popular choice for many.

Comparative Table: Shakespearean vs Petrarchan Sonnet

The main differences between Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets are their structure and rhyme scheme. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Both Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets have 14 lines and are written in iambic pentameter. However, the Shakespearean sonnet is composed of three quatrains and a couplet, while the Petrarchan sonnet consists of an octave and a sestet. The rhyme schemes also differ, with Shakespearean sonnets following the pattern ABAB CDCD EFEF GG and Petrarchan sonnets following the pattern ABBA ABBA CDE CDE. The conflict in a Shakespearean sonnet is usually developed within the first twelve lines and resolved in the final couplet, while a Petrarchan sonnet introduces the conflict in the first quatrain, develops it in the second, and resolves it in the sestet.