What Is The Structure Of A Shakespearean Sonnet

Shakespeare's Sonnets

This edition first published in 1979. Discussing Shakespeare's sonnets in relation to sonnets by Italian, French and English poets, Kenneth Muir shows how they were influenced by Shakespeare's reading of Sidney, Erasmus and Ovid and discusses their art in terms of construction, sound patterns and imagery. He considers the relationship of the sonnets to Shakespeare's dramatic writing, while stressing the dramatic element in the sonnets themselves. Finally he surveys the changing attitudes to the sonnets during the last three centuries.

Sonnet Structures

Sonnet Structures explores the rich history and global evolution of the sonnet, revealing how this 14-line poetic form has mirrored and shaped cultural and artistic movements across time. The book highlights the sonnet's journey from its origins to its varied forms, such as the Italian and Shakespearean sonnets, demonstrating how poets have used its constraints to unlock creative expression. For example, the rise of the Shakespearean sonnet in the English Renaissance allowed for new narrative and dramatic possibilities within the English language. The book uniquely emphasizes the sonnet's adaptability across cultures, examining how poets worldwide have embraced and transformed the form to suit their own artistic needs. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing connections among literary history, art history, and cultural studies, revealing the sonnet's relationship to visual art and music. Sonnet Structures begins by tracing the sonnet's Italian origins, progressing through its evolution in Europe, and concluding with its global adaptations and contemporary relevance, providing a comprehensive understanding of this enduring poetic form.

Shakespeare's Sonnets