The Most Romantic Sonnet, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the sonnet you think is the most romantic!

Updated on May 10, 2024 06:58

Sonnet lovers often find themselves in heated debates over which poems pull the strongest at the heartstrings. There are countless sonnets, each carrying its own unique expression of love, longing, or devotion. This raises the practical issue of how to compare them fairly to determine which resonates the most romantically with readers across various backgrounds and personal experiences. The solution lies in a democratic approach, where visitors cast their votes on sonnets that stir their souls the most. This way, the consensus can paint a clearer picture of public sentiment, highlighting which sonnets consistently resonate with people. By participating, users not only revel in the beauty of these poetic works but also contribute to a collective judgement that helps guide others toward sonnets that have moved many before.

What Is the Most Romantic Sonnet?

1

35
votes
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

This sonnet is often considered the most romantic sonnet as it compares the beauty of a lover to a summer's day and immortalizes their beauty in the lines of the poem. It is one of Shakespeare's most famous sonnets and has been quoted in numerous works of literature and film.
Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare is one of the most famous and beloved sonnets in the English language. It is often referred to by its opening line, 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'. This sonnet explores the theme of beauty, immortality, and the power of poetry to preserve and immortalize the beloved.

Sonnet Number: 18

Form: Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines, written in iambic pentameter)

Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCDEFEFGG

Theme: Beauty, immortality, power of poetry

Opening Line: Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
2

22
votes
Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

This sonnet defines true love as an unchanging force that endures all obstacles and time itself. It is often quoted at weddings and is considered one of Shakespeare's most beautiful sonnets.
Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated romantic sonnets. It explores the enduring nature of true love and the unchanging qualities that define it.

Form: Sonnet

Meter: Iambic Pentameter

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Theme: Love and its constancy

Structure: Three quatrains followed by a couplet
3

13
votes
Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

This sonnet is a parody of typical love sonnets, but its honesty and humor make it a favorite among readers. It shows that real love is not about idealizing a person's beauty, but accepting them for who they are.
Sonnet 130 is a well-known sonnet written by William Shakespeare. It challenges the conventional notions of beauty and the exaggerated comparisons often found in romantic poetry. Instead of idealizing his beloved, Shakespeare presents a more realistic and down-to-earth portrayal.

Form: Sonnet

Theme: Contrasting conventional beauty standards

Tone: Humorous and witty

Structure: Three quatrains followed by a final rhyming couplet

Imagery: Vivid and unconventional comparisons
4

4
votes
Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

This sonnet is part of a series of sonnets that express the love between the poet and her husband, Robert Browning. It is considered one of the most famous love poems ever written and has been quoted in numerous works of literature and film.
Sonnet 43 is a famous romantic sonnet written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It is considered one of the most well-known love poems in the English language. The sonnet expresses the depth and intensity of the poet's love for her partner.

Title: Sonnet 43

Form: Petrarchan sonnet

Theme: Love and devotion

Structure: 14 lines with an octave and a sestet

Rhyme Scheme: ABBA ABBA CDCDCD (octave and sestet)
5

13
votes
Sonnet XLIII by Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda

This sonnet is part of Neruda's collection of love poems, "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair." It expresses the intense passion and desire between two lovers and is considered one of Neruda's most beautiful sonnets.
Sonnet XLIII by Pablo Neruda is a beautifully crafted and deeply romantic poem. It is part of Neruda's collection of love sonnets called 'Sonnetos de Amor'.

Title: Sonnet XLIII

Author: Pablo Neruda

Collection: Sonnetos de Amor

Theme: Romantic love

Form: Sonnet
6

9
votes
Sonnet 29 by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay

This sonnet expresses the speaker's longing for her lover and the joy she feels when she is with him. It is considered one of Millay's most romantic sonnets and has been quoted in numerous works of literature and film.
Sonnet 29 by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a heartfelt and melancholic poem that explores themes of love, self-doubt, and the power of inner strength. The sonnet captures the emotions of the speaker as they navigate through feelings of loneliness and despair, eventually finding solace and hope within themselves.

Title: Sonnet 29

Poet: Edna St. Vincent Millay

Theme: Love, self-doubt, inner strength

Emotions: Loneliness, despair, solace, hope

Structure: Sonnet form (14 lines, iambic pentameter)
7

7
votes
Sonnet 14 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

This sonnet expresses the poet's desire to be loved by her lover, but also her fear of losing herself in the process. It is a powerful expression of love and vulnerability that has resonated with readers for generations.
Sonnet 14 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a romantic poem that explores the deep and passionate love the speaker has for their beloved. It presents a heartfelt expression of affection and desires for eternal love and connection.

Title: Sonnet 14

Poet: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Theme: Love and devotion

Structure: Written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet (14 lines, iambic pentameter, abab cdcd efef gg rhyme scheme)

Tone: Romantic and passionate
8

10
votes
Sonnet 130 from Amoretti by Edmund Spenser

Edmund Spenser

This sonnet is a parody of traditional love sonnets, but it also expresses the deep love and affection between the speaker and his lover. It is a witty and humorous poem that has been enjoyed by readers for centuries.
Sonnet 130 from Amoretti by Edmund Spenser is a unique and satirical take on the traditional love sonnet. Rather than praising his beloved with exaggerated comparisons and idealized beauty, the poet portrays a more realistic and down-to-earth depiction of her.

Title: Sonnet 130

Collection: Amoretti

Style: English Renaissance sonnet

Meter: Iambic pentameter

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
9

7
votes
Sonnet 20 by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

This sonnet is often interpreted as a love poem to a male lover, making it one of Shakespeare's most controversial sonnets. It expresses the speaker's desire and admiration for the beauty of his male lover and has been celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community for its representation of same-sex love.
Sonnet 20 is a Shakespearean sonnet written by William Shakespeare, exploring the theme of love and the beauty of the beloved. It is widely considered to be one of the most romantic sonnets in Shakespeare's collection.

Sonnet Number: Sonnet 20

Sonnet Structure: Shakespearean Sonnet (ABABCDCDEFEFGG rhyme scheme)

Theme: Love, beauty

Meter: Iambic Pentameter

Volta: There is a volta (shift) in the ninth line transitioning from admiration of the beloved's beauty to acknowledging the beloved's gender.
10

7
votes
Sonnet 75 by Edmund Spenser

Edmund Spenser

This sonnet expresses the speaker's desire to immortalize his love through his poetry, promising that his lover's name will live on forever in his verses. It is a beautiful expression of love and the power of language to preserve it.
Sonnet 75 is a poem written by the English poet Edmund Spenser. It is one of his most famous sonnets and is considered to be a classic example of Renaissance love poetry. The sonnet explores themes of love, time, and immortality.

Poem Type: Sonnet

Theme: Love, Time, Immortality

Poetic Form: Shakespearean Sonnet

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

Structure: Fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet

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Discussion

Ranking factors for romantic sonnet

Language

The sonnet must have beautiful, evocative language that captures the essence of love and romance.
Imagery

The use of imagery is important in a sonnet, as it helps to create a vivid and memorable picture of the romantic scene.
Structure

A sonnet should adhere to a particular structure, such as iambic pentameter, as this creates a consistent rhythm that can be pleasing to the ear.
Emotion

A romantic sonnet should evoke strong emotions in the reader, such as passion, longing, and tenderness.
Originality

Finally, a great sonnet should be original and stand out from other romantic sonnets, either by using innovative language or by presenting a unique perspective on the theme of love.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most romantic sonnet. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Sonnet is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1452 views
127 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Sonnet once every 24 hours. The rank of each Sonnet is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most romantic sonnet

When it comes to expressing love and passion, sonnets have been a favorite form of poetry for centuries. Originating in Italy in the 13th century, sonnets have since become a staple in literature and a popular way to convey romantic sentiments. In the world of sonnets, William Shakespeare is perhaps the most famous poet, having written over 150 sonnets throughout his career. His works have been praised for their eloquence, beauty, and emotional depth, making him one of the most beloved poets of all time. But what truly makes a sonnet romantic? Is it the language, the imagery, or the emotions conveyed within the lines? While there is no one answer, many believe that a truly romantic sonnet must capture the essence of love in a way that is both timeless and universal. From Shakespeare's "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways," there is no shortage of romantic sonnets to choose from. So, which one reigns supreme? Only the readers can be the judge of that.