The Italian sonnet was created by Giacomo da Lentini in the 13th century.

The Italian sonnets included two parts. First, the octave (two quatrains), which describe a problem, followed by a sestet (two tercets), which gives the resolution to it.

Typically, the ninth line creates a "turn" or volta which signals the move from proposition to resolution. The a-b-b-a, a-b-b-a pattern is the standard for Italian sonnets. The sestet can use any of several rhyme schemes:

c-d-c-d-c-d,

c-d-c-c-d-c

or c-d-e-c-d-e.

Example:

On His Blindness

by Milton,

When I consider how my light is spent (a)

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, (b)

And that one talent which is death to hide, (b)

Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent (a)

To serve therewith my Maker, and present (a)

My true account, lest he returning chide; (b)

"Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" (b)

I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent (a)

That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need (c)

Either man's work or his own gifts; who best (d)

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state (e)

Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed (c)

And post o'er land and ocean without rest; (d) T

hey also serve who only stand and wait." (e)

Example:

Renascence I

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Thou art not lovelier than lilacs, -- no,

Nor honeysuckle; thou art not more fair

Than small white single poppies, -- I can bear

Thy beauty; though I bend before thee, though

From left to right, not knowing where to go,

I turn my troubled eyes, nor here nor there

Find any refuge from thee, yet I swear

So has it been with mist, -- with moonlight so.

Like him who day by day unto his draught

Of delicate poison adds him one drop more

Till he may drink unharmed the death of ten,

Even so, inured to beauty, who have quaffed

Each hour more deeply than the hour before,

I drink -- and live -- what has destroyed some men.

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