sonnet etymology

Etymology

The word "sonnet" derives from the Occitan word "sonet" or "sonet", meaning "little song". The Occitan language was widely spoken in southern France during the Middle Ages.

Meaning

A sonnet is a specific type of poem that follows a strict structure and rhyme scheme. It typically consists of 14 lines, divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and two tercets (three-line stanzas). The rhyme scheme varies, but the most common is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Origin

The sonnet form originated in Italy during the 13th century. It was first used by poets in the Sicilian school, such as Jacopo da Lentini. The sonnet quickly gained popularity and spread to other parts of Europe, including France, England, and Spain.

Notable Authors

Some of the most famous sonneteers include:

  • Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)
  • William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
  • John Keats (1795-1821)
  • Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
  • Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)

Themes

Sonnets have been written on a wide range of themes, including love, beauty, nature, mortality, and the human condition. They are often characterized by their lyrical quality, emotional depth, and use of imagery and metaphor.

sonnet relate terms

  • sonnetteer

    Etymology The word sonneteer is derived from the Italian word sonettiere which itse

  • sonnet

    Etymology The word sonnet derives from the Occitan word sonet or sonet meaning li

  • assonance

    Etymology Assonance is derived from the Latin word assonantia which itself comes from

  • consonant

    Etymology The word consonant derives from the Latin word consonans which means sou

  • dissonant

    Etymology Dissonant derives from the Latin word dissonus meaning sounding harshly

  • sonant

    Etymology The word sonant is derived from the Latin word sonans meaning sounding

  • sonata

    Etymology and Meaning of Sonata The term sonata derives from the Italian word sonar

  • sone

    Etymology The word sone has the following etymological origin Middle English sone

  • sonic

    Etymology The word sonic originates from the Latin word sonus meaning sound Mean

  • sonnet

    Etymology The word sonnet derives from the Occitan word sonet or sonet meaning li

  • sonogram

    Etymology Sono Latin meaning sound gram Greek meaning writing or record

  • sonorous

    Etymology Latin sonorus Proto Indo European swen to sound to ring Meaning P

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • sound

    Etymology From Middle English sound from Old English sund from Proto Germanic sunðaz

  • swan

    Etymology The word swan comes from the Middle English word swane which is derived f

  • unison

    Etymology From Middle English unison from Old French unison from Latin unisonus from

  • aspire

    Etymology Old French aspirer Latin aspirare ad towards spirare to breathe Me

  • praise

    Etymology of Praise Origin Old French preisier 12th century Relation to Other Lan

  • verse

    Etymology The word verse comes from the Old French word vers which is derived from t

  • serve

    Etymology From Middle English serven from Old French servir from Latin servīre to

  • sever

    Etymology The word sever comes from the Latin word separare which means to separat

  • poem

    Etymology The word poem comes from the Greek word poiema which means a thing made

  • versify

    Etymology Originates from the Latin word versus meaning turned or line In poetr

  • ABBA

    Etymology ABBA is an acronym formed from the first letters of the surnames of the four b