History of the Sonnet

Summary

This lecture explores the evolution of the lyric sonnet, from its origins in 13th-century Sicily under Frederick II, to its adaptation by Petrarch, and its transformation in English by Sir Thomas Wyatt. The speaker delves into the emotional and social dynamics of the sonnet, contrasting Petrarch's meditative, inward-focused lyric with Wyatt's more rhetorical and socially aware version. This shift paved the way for future English poets, including Shakespeare, allowing the sonnet to evolve into a form capable of both personal reflection and public expression.

Takeaways

• 😀 The sonnet originated in 13th-century Sicily under the court of Frederick II, who brought together scholars from diverse traditions.
• 😀 Jaco de Lentino, a notary at Frederick II's court, adapted a Provençal poetic form to create the 14-line structure of the sonnet.
• 😀 Petrarch's sonnets, particularly his exploration of unattainable love, became foundational in the Western sonnet tradition.
• 😀 In Petrarchan sonnets, the theme of frustrated love is central, with the lady often being distant, already possessed, or dead.
• 😀 The lyric poem, especially in its sonnet form, is a reflection of longing and loss, capturing fleeting moments of emotional presence.
• 😀 The lyric poem often expresses inward, meditative thoughts, but also carries the paradox of longing to communicate with an audience.
• 😀 The introduction of the sonnet into English literature, particularly through Sir Thomas Wyatt, marked a shift from private reflection to social speech.
• 😀 Wyatt's translation of Petrarch’s sonnet 190, though still about longing, adopts a more rhetorical and social tone compared to the original Italian.
• 😀 Wyatt’s adaptation of the sonnet is seen as a key moment of innovation in lyric poetry, changing its function from personal inwardness to social commentary.
• 😀 The sonnet’s evolution made it a vehicle for exploring social relationships, paving the way for later poets like Shakespeare to manipulate its form for diverse rhetorical effects.
• 😀 The transformation of the sonnet from Petrarch to Wyatt introduces a more unstable, rhetorical dynamic, allowing for expression in both private and public contexts.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the script?

The primary focus of the script is the history and evolution of the sonnet, particularly how it was introduced into Western tradition by Petrarch and later adapted into English by poets like Wyatt. The script explores the sonnet's origins, its cultural significance, and the shift in its function from meditative inwardness to more socially dynamic expression.

What was the significance of Frederick II of Sicily in the development of the sonnet?

Frederick II of Sicily played a pivotal role in the development of the sonnet by presiding over a court where intellectuals from diverse backgrounds, including Arabic mathematicians and Jewish philosophers, gathered. This intellectual environment fostered creativity and led to the creation of the 14-line poetic form, which would later be adapted into the sonnet form by poets like Petrarch.

How did the sonnet form originate?

The sonnet form originated in 13th-century Sicily, in the court of Frederick II. A notary at his court, Jacopo da Lentini, adapted a Provençal poetic form to create a 14-line poem, which eventually became known as the sonnet.

What is the main thematic focus of Petrarch's sonnet, as discussed in the script?

Petrarch's sonnet, particularly the one referenced in the script (Sonnet 190), is centered around the theme of unattainable love. The poem reflects the frustration of a lover who is unable to be with the woman he desires, as her indifference or death makes her an idealized object of longing.

What role does frustration play in the lyric poetry discussed in the script?

Frustration is crucial in lyric poetry, particularly in the sonnet tradition. In Petrarchan sonnets, the lover’s longing is often thwarted by external forces such as the lady's indifference or death. This sense of frustrated desire drives the emotional intensity and philosophical contemplation in the poem.

How does the English adaptation of the sonnet differ from its Italian origins?

The English adaptation of the sonnet, particularly through the work of poets like Sir Thomas Wyatt, introduces a shift from the introspective, meditative quality of the Italian sonnet to a more outwardly expressive and socially engaged form. Wyatt’s translation of Petrarch's Sonnet 190 is more rhetorical and less inwardly focused, reflecting a more public, performative aspect of the lyric.

What transformation occurred in the sonnet as it moved from Italian to English tradition?

The transformation of the sonnet from Italian to English saw it evolve from a private, inward-looking form, as exemplified by Petrarch, to a more social and rhetorical form. Wyatt’s translation of Petrarch’s work, for example, introduces a less meditative tone, focusing more on direct speech and social interaction, which made it a versatile tool for poetic expression.

What does the speaker in Wyatt’s version of Petrarch's Sonnet 190 seem to be doing?

In Wyatt’s version of the sonnet, the speaker adopts a more conversational and somewhat frustrated tone. He expresses a sense of being far behind in the pursuit of the woman he desires, comparing himself to others in the competition for her affection. This contrasts with the more contemplative and philosophical tone of Petrarch’s original.

What is the significance of the ‘doubleness’ of lyric poetry mentioned in the script?

The doubleness of lyric poetry refers to its simultaneous private and public nature. While lyric poems are often deeply personal, reflecting the poet’s inward emotions and experiences, they are also shared with others, creating a sense of communal experience. This tension between privacy and shared expression is a key feature of lyric poetry.

How does the script relate the sonnet to broader cultural and historical themes?

The script connects the evolution of the sonnet to broader themes of intellectual exchange, social interaction, and the development of Western poetic traditions. The sonnet’s evolution from a form of private contemplation to a more social, rhetorical mode reflects the changing cultural dynamics of the time, particularly during the Renaissance, and how poetry began to engage with public life.