In Shakespeare’s sonnets, the volta is the thematic or rhetorical shift that often transforms the poem’s direction, mood, or meaning. It serves as the turning point, engaging readers by introducing new perspectives or resolving tensions established earlier.
Understanding the Volta in Elizabethan Sonnets
In traditional sonnet form, the volta—Italian for “turn”—is a crucial structural element. Originating in Petrarchan sonnets, it marks a shift between the octave (eight lines) and the sestet (six lines). When Shakespeare adopted and modified this form, he integrated the volta in ways that sometimes respected the Petrarchan tradition and other times reshaped it to suit his dramatic and thematic purposes.
Shakespeare’s sonnets typically follow the English or Shakespearean sonnet structure: three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet. In this form, the volta often appears in the final couplet, introducing a twist or resolution. However, Shakespeare occasionally places the shift earlier—around line nine—to surprise the reader and heighten emotional impact.
Placement and Function of the Volta
The placement of the volta significantly influences the poem’s rhythm and argument. In the Shakespearean format:
| Section | Line Count | Function | Typical Volta Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quatrain 1 | Lines 1–4 | Introduces theme or problem | — |
| Quatrain 2 | Lines 5–8 | Develops or complicates the theme | — |
| Quatrain 3 | Lines 9–12 | Shifts perspective or builds towards resolution | Sometimes here |
| Couplet | Lines 13–14 | Delivers resolution or punchline | Frequently here |
The volta’s role is to pivot the reader’s understanding. For example, a sonnet might begin by lamenting the passing of time, only to turn toward the eternalizing power of verse in the final couplet.
Examples of Volta in Shakespeare’s Sonnets
Sonnet 18
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Before the Volta (Lines 1–12): The poet compares the beloved to a summer’s day, acknowledging summer’s imperfections.
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After the Volta (Lines 13–14): The couplet declares that the beloved’s beauty will live forever through the poem:
“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”
Sonnet 130
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Before the Volta: The poet humorously describes how his mistress’s features fail to match conventional poetic ideals.
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After the Volta: The couplet affirms genuine love:
“And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare / As any she belied with false compare.”
These examples show that the volta is not merely a mechanical shift—it reframes the entire sonnet.
Essay: The Dramatic Power of the Volta in Shakespeare’s Sonnets
The volta in Shakespeare’s sonnets operates as more than a formal requirement; it is a device of dramatic transformation. In many sonnets, the preceding quatrains establish an expectation, often through rich imagery and thematic layering. The volta then acts as a pivot, redirecting the reader’s focus and emotional trajectory.
Take Sonnet 73, where the first three quatrains use seasonal metaphors to depict the speaker’s aging. The volta in the couplet shifts the focus from decay to the deepened appreciation of love in the face of mortality. This transition mirrors the structure of a miniature drama: exposition, complication, climax, and resolution.
By manipulating the volta’s position, Shakespeare controls pacing. When placed in the couplet, it creates a sudden, impactful twist. When placed earlier, it allows the resolution to develop gradually, fostering reflection. The versatility of the volta contributes to the enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s work, making each sonnet a dynamic interplay between expectation and revelation.
In conclusion, the volta remains a hallmark of the Shakespearean sonnet’s artistry. It embodies the poet’s ability to surprise, persuade, and engage, ensuring that even in a fixed form, the content feels alive and transformative.
