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Sonnet Generator

Create beautiful 14-line sonnets with proper rhyme schemes and structure. Generate sonnets by theme, check your own poems, and learn about different sonnet types.

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What is a Sonnet?

A sonnet is a 14-line poem written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line) with a specific rhyme scheme. The most common types are Shakespearean (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and Petrarchan (ABBA ABBA CDE CDE).

✨ Create Your Sonnet

Format: Shakespearean Sonnet (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG)

📜 Your Sonnet

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Select options and click Generate to create your sonnet

📝 How to Write a Sonnet

Step 1: Choose Your Theme

Traditional themes include love, beauty, mortality, nature, and time. Pick something you feel passionate about—genuine emotion will make your sonnet more powerful.

Step 2: Select Your Form

Shakespearean sonnets (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) are great for beginners because each quatrain can explore a different aspect of your theme. Petrarchan sonnets work well for problem-solution structures.

Step 3: Plan Your Structure

Outline what each quatrain will address. Build tension through the first 12 lines, then resolve or twist it in the final couplet. Don't forget the volta (turn) around line 9 or 13.

Step 4: Write and Refine

Write a rough draft first, focusing on meaning. Then adjust syllable counts (aim for 10 per line) and perfect your rhymes. Read aloud to check the rhythm flows naturally.

🌟 Famous Sonnet Writers

PoetEraFamous Work
William Shakespeare1564-1616154 Sonnets (Sonnet 18, 116, 130)
Petrarch1304-1374Il Canzoniere (366 poems)
Edmund Spenser1552-1599Amoretti (89 sonnets)
John Milton1608-1674On His Blindness
Elizabeth Barrett Browning1806-1861Sonnets from the Portuguese
John Keats1795-1821On First Looking into Chapman's Homer

📋 Quick Reference

Lines: 14 (always)

Syllables: ~10 per line

Meter: Iambic pentameter

Volta: Line 9 or 13

Origin: 13th century Italy

🔤 Rhyme Schemes

Shakespearean

ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Petrarchan

ABBA ABBA CDE CDE

Spenserian

ABAB BCBC CDCD EE

Frequently Asked Questions

To write a sonnet: 1) Choose a theme (love, nature, time, etc.), 2) Pick a sonnet type (Shakespearean is easiest for beginners), 3) Write 14 lines with roughly 10 syllables each, 4) Follow your chosen rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG for Shakespearean), 5) Include a 'volta' or turn in thought around line 9 or 13, 6) End with a strong conclusion or twist in the final couplet.

The three fundamental rules of a sonnet are: 1) It must have exactly 14 lines, 2) It should follow a specific rhyme scheme (varies by type - Shakespearean uses ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, Petrarchan uses ABBA ABBA CDE CDE), 3) It should be written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line with alternating unstressed/stressed pattern). Most sonnets also include a 'volta' or thematic turn.

A sonnet is always 14 lines, not 12. The word 'sonnet' comes from the Italian 'sonetto,' meaning 'little song.' All traditional sonnet forms—Shakespearean, Petrarchan, and Spenserian—contain exactly 14 lines. A 12-line poem would be considered a different poetic form.

A 14-line poem is called a sonnet. The sonnet is one of the oldest and most respected poetic forms, originating in 13th-century Italy. Famous sonnet writers include William Shakespeare (154 sonnets), Petrarch, Edmund Spenser, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and John Milton. Sonnets traditionally explore themes of love, beauty, mortality, and nature.

Iambic pentameter is the rhythmic pattern used in sonnets. 'Iambic' refers to an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM), and 'pentameter' means five of these pairs per line, totaling 10 syllables. Example: 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' reads as 'shall I / com-PARE / thee TO / a SUM / mer's DAY.' This rhythm creates a natural, speech-like flow.

A volta (Italian for 'turn') is the moment in a sonnet where the theme, argument, or mood shifts. In Shakespearean sonnets, the volta typically occurs at line 13 (the final couplet), providing a conclusion or twist. In Petrarchan sonnets, it occurs at line 9, marking the transition from the problem (octave) to the resolution (sestet). The volta gives sonnets their characteristic depth and surprise.

📝 Disclaimer: The sonnets generated by this tool are created from pre-written templates for educational and creative inspiration purposes. For original poetry, we encourage you to use these as starting points and add your own voice, imagery, and personal experiences.