A volta is one of the most crucial elements in the structure of a sonnet. A term originating from the Italian word for “turn,” a volta marks a significant shift in thought, tone, or argument within the poem. Sonnets, with their highly structured form, often rely on the volta to create contrast and depth in the poetic narrative. This shift adds dynamism to the sonnet, enhancing its emotional and intellectual impact.
In this article, we will explore the concept of the volta in a sonnet in depth. We will examine its historical context, its role in shaping the sonnet’s meaning, and its evolution over time. Additionally, we will look at how different types of sonnets, such as the Petrarchan and Shakespearean sonnets, handle the volta. By the end, you will have a comprehensive understanding of what a volta is, why it is important, and how it functions within a sonnet.
The Sonnet Form: A Brief Overview
Before delving into the volta itself, it is essential to understand the sonnet form. The sonnet is a 14-line poem, traditionally written in iambic pentameter (a rhythmic pattern of ten syllables per line, alternating between unstressed and stressed syllables). The sonnet form has been highly regarded for its ability to express complex emotions and ideas within a tight structural framework.
Sonnets typically consist of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) followed by a couplet (a two-line stanza). However, the structure can vary depending on the type of sonnet. The two most common forms are:
The Petrarchan Sonnet (also known as the Italian Sonnet)
The Shakespearean Sonnet (also known as the English Sonnet)
Each form has a distinctive structure and rhyme scheme, and each makes use of the volta in unique ways. Understanding these forms will help us better appreciate the function of the volta.
The Role of the Volta in a Sonnet
A volta serves as a turning point in the sonnet, where the poem transitions from one idea, argument, or emotional state to another. The volta might represent a shift in the speaker’s attitude, an introduction of a contrasting idea, or a resolution to the tension established in the earlier lines of the poem.
Contrast and Resolution: Often, the first part of the sonnet (before the volta) presents an issue, dilemma, or emotional tension. The volta introduces a shift, often offering a solution, counter-argument, or a change in the speaker’s perspective.
Emotional Impact: The volta can heighten the emotional intensity of the sonnet by introducing an unexpected twist, deepening the emotional resonance of the poem, or providing a moment of revelation or clarity.
Intellectual Shift: The volta may also mark a change in the intellectual direction of the poem, where the poet introduces a new line of reasoning or perspective that challenges the initial premise.
The volta, therefore, plays a pivotal role in driving the structure of the sonnet forward, making it a dynamic and engaging form of poetry.
The Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet and the Volta
The Petrarchan sonnet, one of the earliest and most influential forms of the sonnet, was popularized by the Italian poet Petrarch in the 14th century. It consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave follows the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA, while the sestet typically follows a CDECDE or CDCDCD pattern.
In the Petrarchan sonnet, the volta typically occurs between the eighth and ninth lines, where the octave ends and the sestet begins. This is a natural point for the volta to appear, as the octave usually presents a problem or situation, and the sestet offers a resolution, reflection, or counterpoint.
For example, in Petrarch’s Sonnet 90, the volta occurs between the octave and sestet, shifting from the speaker’s lamentation over his unrequited love to his resignation and acceptance of the situation:
Sonnet 90: Upon the breeze I watched her go, and yet my heart was filled with sorrow, for in her eyes, I saw no love to borrow. In vain, I wait and long, and hope to grow.
But time will heal, and soon I’ll see the light, That love is never truly bound by fate; Perhaps I’ll learn to love, though still too late, And find my peace within the endless night.
In this example, the volta presents a shift from the speaker’s despair to a more resigned and philosophical stance.
The Shakespearean (English) Sonnet and the Volta
The Shakespearean sonnet, also known as the English sonnet, differs in structure from the Petrarchan sonnet. It is composed of three quatrains and a couplet, following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
In a Shakespearean sonnet, the volta typically occurs at the beginning of the third quatrain or sometimes at the final couplet. While the shift in thought in a Shakespearean sonnet may not always be as dramatic or philosophical as in a Petrarchan sonnet, it still represents a turning point, often offering a resolution, clarification, or irony.
For example, in Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130, the volta appears in the final couplet, where the poet humorously subverts the expectations set up in the previous quatrains:
Sonnet 130: My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red, than her lips red; If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white, But no such roses see I in her cheeks; And in some perfumes is there more delight Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know That music hath a far more pleasing sound; I grant I never saw a goddess go; My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare As any she belied with false compare.
In this example, the first 12 lines humorously criticize the speaker’s lover by comparing her unfavorably to idealized beauty standards. However, the volta in the final couplet turns the poem’s tone, as the speaker asserts that his love for her is rare and genuine, despite her physical imperfections.
The Evolution of the Volta: Modern and Contemporary Usage
While the volta was originally a fixed feature in traditional sonnets, modern and contemporary poets have adapted and reinterpreted the volta in various ways. In the modern sonnet, the volta is not always bound by the strict structure of the Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnet. Some poets may choose to place the volta at a different point in the poem, or even omit it entirely. The shift in thought may be more subtle or take on a more experimental form.
For example, poets like Edna St. Vincent Millay and W. H. Auden have used the sonnet form with more flexibility, manipulating the volta to suit the emotional or intellectual trajectory of the poem.
Millay’s “Sonnet XXIX” demonstrates a modern interpretation of the volta. The shift occurs within the octave, but instead of resolving the issue presented in the first eight lines, the volta heightens the emotional tension:
Sonnet XXIX by Edna St. Vincent Millay: Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain; Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink And rise and sink and rise and sink again.
Love cannot fill the thickened lung with breath, Nor clean the blood, nor set the fractured bone; Yet many a man is making friends with death Even as I speak, for lack of love alone.
Love is all we have, our mothers’ bodies; *The rooms we live in and our beds are home. * If it were not so, we would be nothing.
In this case, Millay does not resolve the philosophical tension between love and the physical body in the typical way. Instead, she presents love as both an essential and elusive element of human existence, drawing the reader into her complex emotional state.
Conclusion
The volta is an essential feature of the sonnet, allowing poets to introduce a significant shift in tone, argument, or emotional direction. Whether in the traditional Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnet or in more modern interpretations, the volta enriches the sonnet by creating contrast, tension, and resolution. By understanding the volta, readers can appreciate the dynamic nature of the sonnet and its capacity to capture complex ideas and emotions in a structured form.
As we’ve seen, the volta can take many forms, depending on the context of the poem and the type of sonnet being employed. However, its presence is universally crucial, as it marks a turning point that defines the overall impact of the poem. Whether through contrast, clarification, or irony, the volta helps shape the meaning and emotional depth of the sonnet, solidifying its place as one of the most enduring and versatile forms of poetry.
