Sonnet

A sonnet is a poetic form which originated in Italy; Giacomo Da Lentini is credited with its invention.

The term sonnet is derived from the Italian word sonetto (from Old Provençal sonet a little poem, from son song, from Latin sonus a sound). By the thirteenth century it signified a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. Conventions associated with the sonnet have evolved over its history. Writers of sonnets are sometimes called "sonneteers", although the term can be used derisively.

Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet

The sonnet was created by Giacomo da Lentini, head of the Sicilian School under Emperor Frederick II.Guittone d'Arezzo rediscovered it and brought it to Tuscany where he adapted it to his language when he founded the Neo-Sicilian School (1235–1294). He wrote almost 250 sonnets. Other Italian poets of the time, including Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) and Guido Cavalcanti (c. 1250–1300), wrote sonnets, but the most famous early sonneteer was Petrarca (known in English as Petrarch). Other fine examples were written by Michelangelo.

35 Sonnets

35 Sonnets is poetry book by Fernando Pessoa published in 1918.

Publication

One of two book self-published by Pessoa in 1918, the author sent copies to several British literary journals. It has a height of 20 centimetres (7.9 in).

Reception

35 Sonnets received fairly positive reviews from various British journals. A Glasgow Herald review was positive, but noted that the sonnets bore a "crabbedness of speech," likely due to an "imitation of a Shakespearean trick." However, a reviewer from the Times Literary Supplement said of 35 Sonnets that the authors "command of English is less remarkable than his knowledge of Elizabethan English."

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