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The volta, also called the turn, takes place in line 9 of a Sonnet. The eight lines, called the octet, sets up a problem or describes a situation. The second part of a sonnet, six lines called the sestet, answers or complicates the octet. At the beginning of line 9, there should be a clear change from problem to solution, or situation to complication.
Frequently a sonnet's ninth line will begin with an opposite from something used near the end of line eight. One example is where "day" is the subject or metaphor of the octet, and is used in line eight. Then, at the start of the sestet, the first or second word is "night," and the sestet clearly focuses on some opposite of the "day" meaning or metaphor.
So, the "volta" is a change of meaning, intent, focus, direction, or outlook that occurs in line 9 of a sonnet. From day to night, from love to hate, from desire to indifference, or from desire to desire unfulfilled. Opposites or denials are common in line 9 as a turn. But, some poetic schools require that the very first word of the volta must signal change, or it becomes a delayed volta. A delayed volta might not signal the change until halfway through line 9. Or a delayed volta might not happen until line 10.
Shakespeare sometimes used the final couplet to shock, or deny the subject of the rest of the sonnet, and this served as the turn. Even though he might express a difference, or a hint of change in line 9, his volta came at line 13.
In order to demonstrate the difficulty of the accurately timed volta, think of a subject that has an opposite viewpoint, or focus. Write the octet extolling the virtues of the subject (in iambic pentameter.) Then write the sestet with an opposing viewpoint or opposing focus. Once you have written the sestet and have a clear understanding of the opposite, see if you can make the very first word of the sestet embody the essence of the opposite.
One such comparison comes to mind. "Samurai, honored clash of blades held high / or clean slice across the neck to die." There are many good or historical things to say about a samurai to fill the octet. At the beginning of line 9, focusing on the samurai's opponent, I would write: "Hacker with dull brass blade that only maims / who cannot see his target nor his aims." You see that even the first syllable, "hack" shows change from skill to inept use of a blade. That is a volta.
What else can I help you with?
What kind of poetry includes a volta?
A Sonnet. Mainly an English Sonnet.
What type of lyric poetry includes volta?
The type of lyric poetry that includes a volta is a sonnet. A volta is a shift in thought or argument in the poem, often occurring between the octet and sestet in an Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet, or after the octave in an English (Shakespearean) sonnet.
What is the function of a Volta in a sonnet?
A volta, also known as the turn, is a shift or a change in thought or argument in a sonnet. It typically occurs between the octet and the sestet in an Italian or Petrarchan sonnet, or at the third quatrain in an English or Shakespearean sonnet. The volta marks a transition in the poem's subject matter or tone, offering a new perspective or resolving a conflict presented earlier in the poem.
Which type of lyric poetry often includes a volta?
The sonnet, especially the Petrarchan sonnet.
Why is On his blindness a Petrarchan sonnet and not a Miltonic Sonnet?
it's a miltonic sonnet. Milton puts volta in middle of eighth line.
Can you explain the concept of volta in a sonnet and its significance in the overall structure of the poem?
In a sonnet, the volta is a shift or turn in the poem's theme or argument, usually occurring between the octave and the sestet in an Italian sonnet or after the octave in a Shakespearean sonnet. The volta is significant because it marks a change in tone, perspective, or argument, adding depth and complexity to the poem's structure and meaning.
What is 'Penso a te di volta in volta' when translated from Italian to English?
Penso a te di volta in volta in Italian means "I think of you from time to time" in English.
What is an example of volta?
A volta is a shift in tone or argument in a poem. An example of a volta is in Shakespeare's "Sonnet 18," where the speaker shifts from describing the beauty of the subject to stating that their beauty will be preserved forever through the poem itself.
What is the other term for an Shakespearean sonnet?
the English sonnet
Which form of sonnet uses a volta at the beginning of a sestet to introduce a contrasting idea?
The Petrarchan sonnet form uses a volta at the beginning of the sestet to introduce a contrasting idea or resolution after the turn in the octave. This shift in focus helps to bring a new perspective or argument to the poem's theme.
What makes a poem a sonnet?
A sonnet is a specific form of poetry characterized by its structure and rhyme scheme. It typically consists of 14 lines, often written in iambic pentameter. The two most common types are the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, which follows the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG, and the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet, which has a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBACDCDCD. Sonnets often explore themes of love, nature, or philosophy, culminating in a volta or turn in thought.
A Shakespeare sonnet does not have?
Your teacher probably wants you to say that a Shakespearean sonnet does not have a volta (the change in point of view which occurs between Octave and Sestet which is the defining characteristic of the Petrarchan sonnet).This isn't quite true. Several of Shakespeare's sonnets have very obvious voltas. One of the most interesting is sonnet LX where the volta appears to fall between lines 7 and 8, making an interestingly asymmetric movement which I have seen nowhere else in poetry.But Shakespearean sonnets don't usually have voltas, in fact only an author as daring as Shakespeare would even think of giving a Shakespearean sonnet a volta. (Though Donne, I suppose, was such another).
