Question

What is a distinguishing characteristic of a Shakespearean sonnet?

Answer 1

In terms of structure, a Shakespearean sonnet has 14 lines and is written in iambic pentameter.

This means that is has 3 quatrains (4 line sections) and one heroiccouplet.

The rhyme scheme, therefore, is abab (quatrain 1), cdcd (quatrain 2), efef (quatrain 3), and gg (heroic couplet).

Answer 2

The distinguishing characteristic of a Shakespearean sonnet is the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg.

Hope this helps you :)