How to write a sonnet

A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Shakespearean Sonnets

Writing a sonnet like Shakespeare’s involves more than just creating 14 lines of poetry. It’s about mastering the structure, rhythm, and themes that made his sonnets timeless. Shakespearean sonnets are known for their strict use of iambic pentameter, a specific rhyme scheme, and the exploration of universal themes like love, beauty, and the passage of time. Understanding these elements is essential to crafting a sonnet that echoes the Bard’s signature style, whether you are writing for personal expression or academic purposes.

Key Takeaways:

• Structured Form: Shakespearean sonnets follow a set format consisting of three quatrains, a couplet, and fourteen lines. The poem has a particular flow and rhythm due to its rhyme pattern: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. 
• Iambic Pentameter: Each line of the sonnet follows iambic pentameter, consisting of ten syllables with a pattern of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. This meter creates the musicality that defines the sonnet.
• Themes and the Volta: Traditional sonnets often explore love, beauty, and time themes. A key feature is the “volta” or turn, usually found between the third quatrain and the final couplet, where the poem shifts in tone or perspective.

Understanding the Structure of a Shakespearean Sonnet

Shakespearean sonnets are known for their precise structure, which is integral to their rhythm and meaning. Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements:

14-Line Format

A sonnet always contains exactly 14 lines, no more and no less. This structural consistency is crucial to the form, setting it apart from other poetic styles.

Three Quatrains and a Couplet

The 14 lines are typically divided into:

• Three Quatrains (each containing four lines)
• One Rhyming Couplet (two lines)

Sonnet Section	Number of Lines	Purpose
Quatrain 1 (Lines 1-4)	4	Introduces the central theme or problem.
Quatrain 2 (Lines 5-8)	4	Further develops the theme, adding more detail or complexity.
Quatrain 3 (Lines 9-12)	4	Prepare for the resolution or twist.
Couplet (Lines 13-14)	2	Provides a conclusion, resolution, or surprising twist.

The Rhyme Scheme

Shakespearean sonnets follow a strict rhyme scheme known as ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Each letter represents a line’s end sound, and lines sharing the same letter must rhyme.

Line Number	Rhyme Pattern	Example (Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18”)
Line 1	A	“day”
Line 2	B	“temperate”
Line 3	A	“May”
Line 4	B	“date”
Line 5	C	“shines”
Line 6	D	“dimmed”
Line 7	C	“declines”
Line 8	D	“untrimmed”
Line 9	E	“fade”
Line 10	F	“owe”
Line 11	E	“shade”
Line 12	F	“grow”
Line 13	G	“see”
Line 14	G	“thee”

The rhyme scheme balances and harmonizes the poem while guiding the flow of ideas through its natural rhythm.

The Turn (Volta)

In many sonnets, the volta, or “turn,” occurs between the third quatrain and the couplet, usually at line 9 or line 13. The volta marks a shift in tone, perspective, or argument.

Position in the Sonnet	Effect of the Volta
Between Quatrains 3 and the Couplet	Often introduces a new perspective, solution, or twist.
Line 9	It can sometimes serve as the point of reflection or contrast.

The volta, for instance, appears in the concluding couplet of Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” (“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”), when the speaker expresses his love for his lover despite these similarities, having previously compared her negatively to things that are typically considered lovely. 

Mastering Iambic Pentameter

The iambic pentameter is the metrical pattern that Shakespeare uses in his sonnets. It consists of a ten-syllable line arranged in pairs called iambs. Unstressed (da) and stressed (DUM) syllables make up an iamb, a metrical foot. This gives each line the rhythm of da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-DUM, da-D.

Syllable Pattern	Stressed/Unstressed	Example (Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18”)
da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM	Unstressed-Stressed	“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”

Each of the five “da-DUM” pairs (called iambs) creates a rhythmic flow that defines the line as iambic pentameter.

Why It’s Important

The regularity of iambic pentameter gives Shakespeare’s sonnets a natural, musical quality. This metrical structure:

• Creates rhythm: The alternating unstressed and stressed syllables create a steady beat, like a heartbeat or walking rhythm.
• Enhances meaning: Following this rhythm, poets can emphasize certain words or ideas, adding depth and emotional impact to the sonnet.
• Facilitates flow: The pattern makes the language feel smooth and balanced, which allows the poem to progress without feeling too rigid or forced.

In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18,” the rhythmic balance of iambic pentameter adds to the beauty and elegance of the language, helping to convey the poem’s themes of eternal beauty and love.

Practice Tips

• Start with Simple Sentences: Choose a ten-syllable sentence and see if it naturally fits into an iambic rhythm.
  • Example: “I walk alone beneath the moon at night.”
  • This sentence naturally follows the pattern of unstressed-stressed (da-DUM) syllables.
• Identify the Natural Iambic Rhythm: Break down sentences into syllables and identify where the stresses naturally fall. Read the lines aloud and listen for the stressed and unstressed syllables pattern.
• Tap Out the Beats: A helpful exercise is to tap or clap your hands to the rhythm as you read lines aloud. Tap lightly for every unstressed syllable (da); tap harder for every stressed syllable (DUM). This physical action helps you internalize the pattern.
• Break Down Each Line: Practice breaking down the lines of existing Shakespearean sonnets to understand how the meter works. Here’s an example from “Sonnet 18”:

Line	Syllable Count	Stressed/Unstressed	Iambic Pattern
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”	Ten syllables	unstressed, stressed (alternating)	da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM

• Experiment with Your Lines: Once you feel comfortable identifying the iambic rhythm, try crafting your lines in iambic pentameter. Focus on keeping the ten-syllable limit and the unstressed-stressed pattern.

Choosing a Theme for Your Sonnet

Traditional Themes

Shakespeare’s sonnets frequently revolve around themes that are timeless and relatable. Here are some of the most common themes he explored:

• Love: Romantic love, unrequited love, and the complexities of relationships are recurring themes in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Beauty: Shakespeare often contemplates physical beauty and its transient nature, frequently contrasting it with internal or spiritual beauty.
• Time: The passage of time, its effect on beauty, and the inevitability of aging and death are significant preoccupations.
• Nature: Nature is frequently used as a metaphor for human emotions or physical traits. Shakespeare connects the changing seasons, growth, and decay to human life.
• Mortality: Recurrent ideas include contemplating death, the impermanence of life, and the desire for immortality through poetry or love.

Developing Your Idea

Once you’ve chosen a theme, developing it within the sonnet’s structure is next. Here’s how to approach this:

• Start with a Central Idea or Question: Shakespearean sonnets often begin with a question or a specific idea that will be explored throughout the poem.
  • Example: In Sonnet 18, Shakespeare asks, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” This question drives the exploration of beauty and the idea of eternal love.
• Explore the Theme Across Three Quatrains: Each quatrain allows one to examine the theme from a different angle or perspective. Think of the quatrains as building blocks that expand on the theme, gradually adding depth and complexity.
  • Quatrain 1 (Lines 1-4): Introduce the theme.
    • Example: In Sonnet 18, the speaker compares the beloved to a summer’s day and highlights the positive aspects of summer.
  • Quatrain 2 (Lines 5-8): Deepen the exploration.

• The speaker then delves into how summer fades, but his beloved’s beauty won’t.

• Quatrain 3 (Lines 9-12): Prepare for a resolution.
  • Here, Shakespeare introduces the idea of immortalizing the beloved’s beauty through poetry.

• Build Toward the Shift (Volta): In many sonnets, the volta, or turn, marks a tone, argument, or perspective shift. This typically occurs between the third quatrain and the couplet (around lines 9 or 13). It often resolves the questions or contradictions raised in the earlier lines.
  • Example: In Sonnet 18, the volta occurs at the couplet, where the speaker declares that his poetry will forever preserve the beloved’s beauty.

The Shift (Volta)

The volta serves as a moment of contrast, reflection, or resolution. After the quatrains have developed the theme, the final couplet often surprises the reader by introducing a new perspective or concluding thought.

• Contrasting Thought: The volta might reveal a new angle, shifting the tone from positive to negative (or vice versa) or offering a twist that changes the poem’s meaning.
  • Example: In Sonnet 130, Shakespeare spends most of the poem comparing his mistress unfavorably to idealized beauty standards. However, the couplet turns this around by expressing that his love is genuine and not dependent on superficial comparisons.
• Resolving Thought: Alternatively, the couplet might offer a resolution, tying together the theme and reinforcing the sonnet’s central idea.
  • Example: In Sonnet 18, the speaker resolves his meditation on beauty by asserting that his beloved’s beauty will live forever in his poetry.

Sonnet Section	Content	Volta Effect
Quatrains	Develop the theme, introducing contrasts or complexities.	Raises questions or problems.
Volta (Couplet)	Provides a final statement, resolution, or twist.	Offers a contrasting or resolving thought.

Writing the Quatrains (Lines 1-12)

Shakespearean sonnets are mainly composed of quatrains, in which the poet presents, expands upon, and reveals the main idea. Every quatrain plays a unique part in the overall composition and significance of the poem. The rhyme schemes (ABAB, CDCD, EFEF) provide flow and cohesion and create natural divisions that help the reader follow the progression of ideas.

First Quatrain (Lines 1-4): 

The first quatrain is the introduction. Here, the poet presents the central idea or argument, setting the stage for the rest of the sonnet.

Introduce the Main Idea:

• The first quatrain introduces the theme or question that will be explored. This could be a contemplation of love, beauty, the passage of time, or any other subject chosen for the sonnet.

Use the ABAB Rhyme Scheme:

• The rhyme scheme in the first quatrain follows an ABAB pattern, where the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.
• This pattern creates balance, helping the quatrain flow smoothly while introducing the theme.

Line Number	Content	Rhyme Scheme
Line 1	“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”	A
Line 2	“Thou art more lovely and more temperate:”	B
Line 3	“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,”	A
Line 4	“And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:”	B

Second Quatrain (Lines 5-8)

The second quatrain develops the theme further, adding depth and complexity to the argument. The poet may expand on the initial idea, provide examples, or introduce contrasts.

Develop the Theme:

• The second quatrain takes and develops the central theme introduced in the first quatrain, offering further reflections or complicating the argument. The tone might shift slightly as the poet explores the theme from new angles.

Use the CDCD Rhyme Scheme:

• The rhyme scheme in the second quatrain shifts to CDCD, where lines 5 and 7 rhyme, as do lines 6 and 8. This pattern creates continuity while allowing for a natural progression in the argument.

Line Number	Content	Rhyme Scheme
Line 5	“Sometime too hot, the eye of heaven shines,”	C
Line 6	“And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;”	D
Line 7	“And every fair from fair sometime declines,”	C
Line 8	“By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;”	D

This development highlights the contrast between nature’s transient beauty and the beloved’s enduring beauty, deepening the poem’s central argument.

Third Quatrain (Lines 9-12)

The sonnet moves towards a turning point or volta in the third quatrain. The theme is brought to a climax or prepared for the resolution in the couplet.

Prepare for a Turning Point:

• The third quatrain often leads to the volta by introducing a tone, perspective, or argument shift. This quatrain can bridge the resolution in the final two lines (the couplet).

Use the EFEF Rhyme Scheme:

• The third quatrain’s rhyme scheme is EFEF, providing continuity and flow while building towards the final couplet.

Line Number	Content	Rhyme Scheme
Line 9	“But thy eternal summer shall not fade,”	E
Line 10	“Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;”	F
Line 11	“Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,”	E
Line 12	“When in eternal lines to time thou growest:”	F

In this quatrain, the speaker shifts the focus from nature’s transient beauty to the eternal beauty of the beloved, setting up the resolution in the couplet. The third quatrain often hints at the resolution delivered in the final lines.

Writing the Final Couplet (Lines 13-14)

The final two lines of a Shakespearean sonnet, known as the couplet, are arguably the most essential part of the poem. These lines provide resolution, emphasize the central theme, or deliver a surprising twist that changes how the reader interprets the sonnet. The couplet also follows a distinct rhyme scheme that sets it apart from the preceding quatrains.

Purpose of the Couplet

The couplet’s purpose is to bring the sonnet to a satisfying conclusion. It can serve different functions depending on the overall theme and tone of the poem:

• Summarize the Main Theme: The couplet often serves as a reflection or summary of the poem, tying together the ideas presented in the three quatrains.
• Offer a Twist or Contrast: Sometimes, the couplet introduces a twist or unexpected turn, offering a new perspective that contrasts with the ideas presented earlier in the poem.
• Provide Resolution: The couplet can resolve any conflict or tension in the previous quatrains, delivering a final statement that ties the poem together.

Rhyme Scheme: GG

The last two lines of the couplet must rhyme because it employs the GG rhyme scheme. The reader is given a gratifying resolution to the sonnet due to this sense of closure and finality. 

Line Number	Content	Rhyme Scheme
Line 13	“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,”	G
Line 14	“So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”	G

In this example from Sonnet 18, the GG rhyme creates a smooth and harmonious ending, emphasizing the poem’s timelessness and the beloved’s beauty.

Example of a Strong, Concluding Statement

Shakespeare often used the couplet to emphasize his theme with a robust and memorable statement. This statement usually left a lasting impression on the reader, reinforcing the ideas developed in the quatrains.

Example of Couplet Breakdown

Line Number	Function of the Couplet	Example from Sonnet 18	Rhyme Scheme
Line 13	Summarizes the poem’s central idea	“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,”	G
Line 14	Concludes with a strong statement	“So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”	G

FAQs

What is the most essential part of writing a Shakespearean sonnet?

The most important part is following the structure: 14 lines with iambic pentameter and the ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme.

Can I use modern themes in a Shakespearean sonnet?

Yes, while traditional sonnets focus on love and beauty, you can explore any theme as long as you adhere to the structure.

What is the hardest part of writing a sonnet?

Many writers find sticking to iambic pentameter while maintaining a natural flow of language the most challenging aspect.

Does every Shakespearean sonnet need a ‘turn’ or volta?

While it’s common to include a volta, especially before the final couplet, it’s not a strict requirement. However, it adds depth and variation to the sonnet.

Can I deviate from the rhyme scheme?

In traditional Shakespearean sonnets, the rhyme scheme is crucial. However, slight deviations may be acceptable in modern poetry, depending on your creative intent.

Conclusion

Writing a sonnet like Shakespeare requires mastering both structure and style. From the careful balance of quatrains to the rhythmic flow of iambic pentameter, each element of the sonnet serves a purpose in delivering the poem’s central theme. The development of the theme through the three quatrains, culminating in the volta and a final couplet, allows the poet to explore complex ideas in a limited space. The final couplet provides resolution, often with a powerful or surprising twist. By following these guidelines and understanding the intricacies of the form, you can craft sonnets that evoke the timeless qualities of Shakespeare’s poetry, blending rhythm, rhyme, and meaning into a harmonious whole.