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Analyzing and Interpreting Literature / Unit 9   AIL 0806 short lesson, about 20 seconds

The Petrarchan Sonnet

Captions available

The idea

The glossary defines the Petrarchan sonnet by its rhyme scheme: A B B A A B B A, then C D E C D E. The first eight lines share two rhymes and the last six introduce three new ones. That division of eight and six is the form's whole structural argument.

In practice

Eight lines, then six.

Where people slip

The scheme itself makes the division.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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