Elizabethan Poetry · English Literature

The Spenserian sonnet differs from the Shakespearean sonnet primarily in its:

  1. Number of lines per stanza
  2. Interlocking rhyme scheme (abab bcbc cdcd ee)
  3. Exclusive use of trochaic meter throughout
  4. Focus on martial and political subject matter
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Correct answer: Interlocking rhyme scheme (abab bcbc cdcd ee)

The Spenserian sonnet uses an interlocking rhyme scheme that links the quatrains together more tightly than the Shakespearean model. This reflects Spenser's interest in complex, unified structures.

Difficulty: Medium Question 15 of 20

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