What are good made up sonnets?

Answer 1

A good "made up" Sonnet casts a bit of confusion on this question, as all sonnets are "made up." Sonnets are traditionally 14 line poems that follow a strict rhyme scheme. There are several forms or conventions of sonnets; these include the following:

• English or Shakespearean sonnet - popularized by William Shakespeare this form typically appears in a rhyme scheme of: a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g (three quatrains and a couplet); the last two lines being a rhyming couplet. Each line of a Shakespearean sonnet is constructed using ten syllables of iambic pentameter. The quatrains of the poem introduce an idea, problem, or conflict, that typically "turns" in the couplet where a different perspective or view is introduced, or the conflict is resolved.
• Italian or Petrarchan sonnet - named for one of the most prominent practitioner of this form Francesco Petrarca, this type of sonnet appears usually composed of an octave (two quatrains) and a sestet (two tersets) with the most common rhyme scheme being a-b-b-a, a-b-b-a c-d-e-c-d-e. Other variants of the sestet have been introduced such as c-d-c-c-d-c and c-d-c-d-c-d. Italian sonnets form an "argument." This is a construction of the proposition in the opening octave and the resolutionin the sestet. The turn, which is not as concrete as that of the English sonnet, is more implied by the juxtaposition of the two.
• Spencerian sonnet - sometimes considered a sub-type of English sonnet, the Spencerian form is really a type unto itself. It is marked by the typical rhyme scheme: abab, bcbc, cdcd, ee. Spencerian sonnets are not confined to an problem/proposition and solution/resolution format such as English and Italian sonnets, but rather offer more an observation or description and conclusion format.
• Modern or Undefined sonnet - the undefined sonnets do not easily fit into the three traditional forms, but still follow the general conventions of 14 lines, structured rhyme scheme, and usually the introduction of an observation, problem, or argument and conclusion or resolution.

Below are several examples of the above identified sonnet forms:

English:

"Lift not the painted veil" Percy Bysse Shelley

Lift not the painted veil which those who live

Call Life: though unreal shapes be pictured there,

And it but mimic all we would believe

With colours idly spread,--behind, lurk Fear

And Hope, twin Destinies; who ever weave

Their shadows, o'er the chasm, sightless and drear.

I knew one who had lifted it--he sought,

For his lost heart was tender, things to love,

But found them not, alas! nor was there aught

The world contains, the which he could approve.

Through the unheeding many he did move,

A splendour among shadows, a bright blot

Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove

For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.

Italian:

"The Soote Season" Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

The soote season, that bud and bloom forth brings,

With green hath clad the hill and eke the vale;

The nightingale with feathers new she sings;

The turtle to her make hath told her tale.

Summer is come, for every spray now springs,

The hart hath hung his old head on the pale;

The buck in brake his winter coat he flings;

The fishes flete with new repaired scale;

The adder all her slough away she slings;

The swift swallow pursueth the flyes smale;

The busy bee her honey now she mings,

Winter is worn that was the flowers' bale.

And thus I see among these pleasant things

Each care decays, and yet my sorrow springs.

Modern:

Forest Buds, from the Woods of Maine (1856) "Truth and Beauty" Elizabeth Askers Allen (Florence Percy)

Strange Truth and Beauty are enemies,

Treading forever on each other's toes!

Strange rhymes are always made of that which is

Too false or silly to be said in prose!

Now here's a sonnet by our village poet

"Inscribed to Kate," in most romantic style,

Whereas,--and one with half an eye might know it,--

He means Sophronia Tompkins, all the while.

He sings of "golden curls." If fiery tresses

Had heat to match their hue, her hair would burn;--

He mentions "airy grace,"--while she possesses

A form as shapeless as an old-time churn,

Heavens! after this I never shall inquire

Why people always call the poet's song a LYRE!

"Time does not bring relief..." Edna St. Vincent Millay

Time does not bring relief; you all have lied

Who told me time would ease me of my pain!

I miss him in the weeping of the rain;

I want him at the shrinking of the tide;

The old snows melt from every mountain-side,

And last year's leaves are smoke in every lane;

But last year's bitter loving must remain

Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide!

There are a hundred places where I fear

To go,--so with his memory they brim!

And entering with relief some quiet place

Where never fell his foot or shone his face

I say, "There is no memory of him here!"

And so stand stricken, so remembering him!

Answer 2

Good sonnets often have a clear theme or message, a well-constructed rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG), and use iambic pentameter. They can explore themes like love, nature, or personal experiences, and skillfully blend imagery and emotion to create a coherent and impactful poem. Ultimately, a good sonnet is one that resonates with the reader and leaves a lasting impression.