Choose the correct option: Which one of the following is not a feature of the…
2022
Choose the correct option:
Which one of the following is not a feature of the Sonnet?
- A.
It is never written in iambic pentameter.
- B.
It has fourteen lines.
- C.
It is a lyric poem.
- D.
It may have an octave and sestet.
Attempted by 20 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The correct option is A: It is never written in iambic pentameter.
This is not a feature of a sonnet because, by definition, traditional sonnets are written in iambic pentameter.
Defining Characteristics of a Sonnet
A sonnet is a specific type of poem that adheres to strict formal requirements:
Fourteen Lines: A sonnet always consists of exactly fourteen lines.
Iambic Pentameter: Each line typically consists of ten syllables arranged in five "iambs" (an iamb is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one).
Lyric Nature: Sonnets are classified as lyric poetry because they are personal, reflective, and typically express a speaker's inner thoughts or feelings rather than telling a long narrative story.
Structured Divisions: Depending on the type (such as Petrarchan or Shakespearean), they often contain specific divisions, like an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines), or three quatrains followed by a final couplet.