Sonnets are a poetic form that has captivated readers for centuries, known for their structured elegance and emotional depth. This 14-line format, often exploring themes of love, nature, or philosophy, invites both writers and readers into a world of rhythm and rhyme. In this exploration, we’ll dive into three famous sonnets that exemplify the beauty of this poetic form.
Written by William Shakespeare, this sonnet is one of the most famous in the English language. It’s often used to illustrate the themes of beauty and the passage of time, making it a staple in both literature classes and romantic contexts.
In this sonnet, Shakespeare compares a beloved to a summer’s day, ultimately arguing that their beauty transcends even the most pleasant of days.
When you read this sonnet, you can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze of summer, creating a vivid image in your mind.
Actual Example:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimmed;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
This sonnet is notable for its use of iambic pentameter and the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG, typical of Shakespearean sonnets. It beautifully encapsulates themes of immortality through poetry.
Written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this sonnet from her collection Sonnets from the Portuguese is a passionate expression of love. It’s frequently quoted in weddings and romantic literature, making it a timeless favorite.
Browning’s exploration of love is both intimate and expansive, inviting readers to reflect on the many facets of affection.
Actual Example:
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
This sonnet showcases the Petrarchan form with its ABBAABBACDCDCD rhyme scheme. Browning’s ability to articulate love in its various dimensions makes this piece universally relatable.
William Wordsworth wrote this sonnet as a response to the industrialization of society and the loss of connection with nature. It’s a poignant reflection on the human condition, urging readers to appreciate the beauty of the world around them.
This sonnet serves as a reminder of the importance of nature in our lives, making it a relevant piece in discussions about environmentalism.
Actual Example:
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.
Wordsworth’s sonnet follows the Petrarchan structure with its ABBAABBA rhyme scheme. Its themes of nature and the critique of modernity resonate with contemporary issues, making this sonnet timeless.
In conclusion, these examples of famous sonnets not only showcase the beauty of the form but also highlight the enduring themes that resonate with readers across generations. Whether you’re exploring love, beauty, or nature, sonnets provide a rich landscape for emotional expression and artistic exploration.