How to analyse a sonnet

Understanding the Sonnet Form

The sonnet, a fourteen-line poem, has a rich history and specific structural conventions that are crucial for analysis. Originating in Italy in the 13th century, it was popularized by Petrarch and later adapted by English poets like Wyatt, Surrey, and most famously, William Shakespeare. Understanding these basic structural elements is the first step in dissecting any sonnet.

Line Count and Meter

Every sonnet, by definition, contains exactly fourteen lines. This constraint forces poets to be concise and develop their ideas within a tight framework. The most common meter employed in sonnets is iambic pentameter. An 'iamb' is a metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable (da-DUM). 'Pentameter' means there are five such feet per line, resulting in a line of ten syllables with a rhythmic pattern like: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM. While poets sometimes deviate for effect, recognizing the underlying iambic pentameter is key to appreciating the poem's musicality and emphasis.

Rhyme Scheme

The rhyme scheme is another defining characteristic of a sonnet and varies depending on the type. The two most prevalent forms are:

• Petrarchan (or Italian) Sonnet: Typically divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave usually follows an ABBAABBA rhyme scheme, presenting a problem, question, or observation. The sestet, which rhymes CDECDE or CDCDCD (or variations thereof), offers a resolution, answer, or reflection.
• Shakespearean (or English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The quatrains often develop different aspects of a theme or argument, with the concluding couplet providing a summary, twist, or epigrammatic conclusion.

Identifying the specific rhyme scheme helps to map out the poem's structure and how the argument unfolds.

The Volta: The Turn in Thought

A critical element in sonnet analysis is the 'volta,' or turn. This is the point in the poem where the mood, argument, or perspective shifts. In Petrarchan sonnets, the volta usually occurs between the octave and the sestet (around line 9). It marks the transition from the problem/question to the resolution/answer. In Shakespearean sonnets, the volta often appears before the final couplet (around line 13), offering a concluding insight or summary that re-frames the preceding quatrains. Recognizing the volta helps you understand the poem's logical or emotional progression.

Content and Thematic Analysis

Once the structure is understood, the focus shifts to the poem's meaning and artistic techniques:

Theme and Subject Matter

What is the poem fundamentally about? Common themes include love (often unrequited or idealized), beauty, time, mortality, politics, and nature. Identify the central subject and how the poet explores it. Consider the specific situation or narrative presented.

Tone and Mood

What is the speaker's attitude towards the subject? Is it passionate, melancholic, ironic, admiring, or critical? The tone contributes significantly to the poem's overall effect. The mood is the atmosphere created for the reader.

Literary Devices

Sonnets are rich with figurative language. Look for:

• Metaphor and Simile: Comparisons that help explain or illuminate the subject.
• Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
• Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.
• Alliteration and Assonance: Repetition of consonant or vowel sounds, contributing to musicality.
• Symbolism: Objects or ideas that represent something else.

How do these devices contribute to the poem's meaning and emotional impact? How do they reinforce the theme?

Argument and Development

Trace the progression of the poet's argument or narrative. How do the ideas develop across the quatrains? How does the volta initiate a change? What is the significance of the final couplet or sestet? Consider how the structure supports the development of thought.

Putting It All Together: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Read Aloud: Listen for the rhythm (meter) and the rhymes.
2. Identify the Form: Count the lines and determine the rhyme scheme (Petrarchan, Shakespearean, or other).
3. Locate the Volta: Find the point where the poem's direction shifts.
4. Summarize Each Section: Briefly describe the main idea of each quatrain/octave and the sestet/couplet.
5. Identify the Theme(s): What is the central message or topic?
6. Analyze Tone and Diction: What is the speaker's attitude? What specific word choices are significant?
7. Examine Literary Devices: How are metaphors, imagery, etc., used to convey meaning?
8. Synthesize: Combine your observations to form an interpretation of the sonnet's overall meaning and effect.

By systematically applying these steps, you can move from a surface-level reading to a deep and nuanced understanding of a sonnet's artistry and message.