How Well Do You Know Sonnets?

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| By Cripstwick

Cripstwick

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1/10 Questions

The sonnet originated from...
- Italy
- France
- Germany
- Britain

About This Quiz

A sonnet is a poem of fourteen lines that follows the iambic pentameter system. There are several types of sonnets, but only two forms exist as a basis on which all other sonnets are formed.

Questions and Answers

2.

Who invented the sonnet?
- Socrates
- Thomas Hobbes
- Giacomo da Lentini
- Shakespeare
Correct Answer

A. Giacomo da Lentini

Explanation

Giacomo da Lentini is credited with inventing the sonnet. He was an Italian poet and a member of the Sicilian School of poetry in the 13th century. Lentini is known for developing the Sicilian octave, which later became the basis for the Petrarchan sonnet. His innovation in poetic form laid the foundation for the sonnet as we know it today. Shakespeare, although a renowned sonnet writer, did not invent the sonnet but rather popularized it in English literature.

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3.

The term sonnet is derived from the Italian word...
- Sonetta
- Soneta
- Sonetto
- Sonnetto
Correct Answer

A. Sonetto

Explanation

The term "sonnet" is derived from the Italian word "sonetto".

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4.

Which of these is a component of the sonnet?
- Vowel
- String
- Volta
- Strum
Correct Answer

A. Volta

Explanation

The correct answer is "Volta." In the context of a sonnet, the volta refers to a shift or turn in the poem's tone, subject matter, or perspective. It typically occurs between the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines) in a Petrarchan sonnet, or after the twelfth line in a Shakespearean sonnet. The volta is an important structural element that adds complexity and depth to the sonnet by introducing a new idea or perspective.

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2
5.

How many forms of sonnet provide the model on which other sonnets are created?
- 3
- 2
- 4
- 5
Correct Answer

A. 2

Explanation

There are two forms of sonnet that provide the model on which other sonnets are created. These two forms are the Italian sonnet, also known as the Petrarchan sonnet, and the English sonnet, also known as the Shakespearean sonnet. The Italian sonnet consists of an octave followed by a sestet, while the English sonnet consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. These two forms have been widely used and imitated by poets throughout history, making them the models for other sonnets.

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6.

In Italian sonnets, the turn occurs between the octave and the...
- Set
- Subset
- Setset
- Octaver
Correct Answer

A. Setset

Explanation

In Italian sonnets, the turn, also known as the volta, typically occurs between the octave and the sestet. The octave consists of the first eight lines of the sonnet, and often presents a problem or question. The turn then happens in the ninth line, where there is a shift in tone, perspective, or subject matter. The sestet, which follows the turn, provides a resolution or answer to the problem presented in the octave. Therefore, "Setset" is the correct answer as it represents the two sets of lines - the octave and the sestet - between which the turn occurs in Italian sonnets.

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7.

Which of these is a basic form of sonnet?
- Petrarchan
- Sotteic
- Servic
- Sonnettic
Correct Answer

A. Petrarchan

Explanation

The correct answer is Petrarchan. Petrarchan sonnet is a basic form of sonnet that consists of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). It is named after the Italian poet Petrarch, who popularized this form in the 14th century. The octave usually presents a problem or an idea, while the sestet provides a resolution or a conclusion. This form is characterized by a specific rhyme scheme, typically ABBAABBA for the octave and CDCDCD or CDECDE for the sestet.

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8.

The first twelve lines are divided into three...
- Quarters
- Quatrains
- Forms
- Sets
Correct Answer

A. Quatrains

Explanation

The correct answer is "Quatrains" because the question is asking for the division of the first twelve lines. Quatrains refer to a stanza or poem consisting of four lines. Therefore, the first twelve lines are divided into three quatrains, each containing four lines.

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9.

Which of these is a type of Shakespearean sonnet?
- Sonnet 18
- Octet
- Octet 12
- Octave 11
Correct Answer

A. Sonnet 18

Explanation

Sonnet 18 is a type of Shakespearean sonnet. Shakespearean sonnets follow a specific rhyme scheme and structure, consisting of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). Sonnet 18, also known as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day," is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets. It follows the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains presenting an argument or theme and a final couplet providing a conclusion or resolution.

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10.

The Petrarchan sonnet is also known as the...
- Octave 4
- Sonnet 11
- Italian Sonnet
- Real Sonnet
Correct Answer

A. Italian Sonnet

Explanation

The Petrarchan sonnet is also known as the Italian Sonnet. This type of sonnet is named after the Italian poet Francesco Petrarch, who popularized its use during the Renaissance. The Italian Sonnet consists of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines), with a volta (or turn) between them. The octave typically presents a problem or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or answer. This structure distinguishes the Petrarchan sonnet from other sonnet forms, such as the Shakespearean sonnet, which has a different rhyme scheme and structure.

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