The Italian Sonnet

Worksheet Description

This worksheet introduces the Italian sonnet, outlining its characteristics and structure, including the octave and sestet divisions along with their respective rhyme schemes. It features the poem “London, 1802” by William Wordsworth, a sonnet which deviates from the Italian form by presenting a problem in the octave and a resolution in the sestet. The worksheet asks students to identify the rhyme scheme of Wordsworth’s sonnet and to articulate the problem and resolution presented in the poem.

The objective of this worksheet is to educate students on the specific format of the Italian sonnet and to illustrate how a poet can use this structure to develop and resolve a thematic issue. By identifying the rhyme scheme, students practice recognizing patterns in poetry, which is a fundamental skill in literary analysis. The task of defining the problem and resolution in the sonnet fosters critical reading and comprehension skills, as students must understand and interpret the content and how it aligns with the sonnet’s structure. This encourages students to look beyond the form and delve into the meaning and intention behind the words.