Italia/Petrarchan Sonnet
   
2.1.2.2.4a
 


THE PETRARCHAN SONNET


It is seen from the above that the Petrarchan sonnet , or the Italian sonnet as it is also called has an octave as the first unit and a sestet as the second unit. The octave develops one thought . Then there is a turn or volta. The sestet grows out of the octave , varies it completes it.
The sonnet came into English in the 16th century , the earliest sonneteers being Thomas Wyatt and Earl of Surrey.

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