SONNETS

Forms of the Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets and their relationship to Shelley’s chosen form in Ozymandias.

What is a sonnet?

A sonnet is a form of poetry that is usually used to express one’s love for another.

Sonnets have lines grouped in different ways:

Couplet – two lines
Quatrain – four lines
Sestet – six lines
Octave – eight lines

Within the group of lines, they follow a rhyme scheme particular to the type of sonnet (in this case Shakespearean or Petrachan). This is represented by capital letters relating to a particular rhyme pattern.

Shakespearean sonnets

End in two lines that rhyme with one another, called a couplet.
Usually change the rhyming pattern every four lines – so that each sonnet is made up of three quatrains.
A traditional Shakespearean sonnet has a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, each letter refers a particular rhythm in the words.

Petrarchan sonnets

All have 14 lines, usually split into two sections: an octave (A rhyming section of a poem with eight lines) followed by a sestet (A rhyming section of a poem with six lines).
The octave usually introduces the reader to a problem or conflict and the sestet then provides the solution. The change that occurs between the octave and sestet is called a volta
Tend to follow a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD or ABBAABBA CDECDE

What is a volta?

Voltas can occur in both forms of sonnet.

The volta is a turn of thought or argument within a sonnet. In the case of the Petrarchan sonnet it occurs between the octave and the sestet. And before the final couplet in a Shakespearean sonnet

Examples of argument transition voltas are but, yet, except and still.

Examples of time change voltas are then, next, or now.

Shelley’s Ozymandias:

In Percy Shelley’s poem Ozymandias, it is clear that the poem is greatly influenced by both the Petrarchan sonnet rhyme scheme and the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme to amalgamate Ozymandias’ love for himself, his vanity.

*the fallen statue of Ramesses II at the Ramesseum in Luxor, Egypt

It is likely that Shelley (1792 – 1822) was greatly influenced by the works of Shakespeare. (1564 – 1616) as his works by this time would have been widely recognised and respected.

The Petrarchan sonnet was originated in Italy by Giacomo da Lentini, a prominent and well-respected poet in the 13th century.

So, both sonnet forms in themselves are about love, an important theme in Ozymandias.

I think Shelley chose to incorporate both forms of sonnets because he respected them and wished to try something different. He wished to defy the standard rules of poetry and break with tradition, suggesting non-conformity and an anti – establishment position.

The rhyme scheme of Ozymandias follows ABAB-ACDC-EDE-FDF with less memorable rhymes (slant rhymes such as appear/despair). A fleeting rhyme that reflects the theme of fading with time. 15/03/24