Introduction to the Volta

In the intricate world of sonnet writing, the volta-Italian for "turn"-serves as the pivotal moment where the poem's theme, argument, or emotional tone undergoes a dramatic shift. This rhetorical and structural turning point is not merely a technical device but the beating heart of a sonnet's resonance. By redirecting focus, the volta transforms static musings into dynamic dialogues between the poet and the reader, deepening the work's emotional and intellectual impact.

The Petrarchan Origin: A Classical Foundation

The volta's earliest and most stringent application appears in the Petrarchan sonnet, a 14th-century form attributed to Francesco Petrarca. Structurally divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), the volta typically occurs at line 9, where the poem pivots from posing a problem to offering a resolution-or shifting perspective entirely.

For example, in Petrarch's Sonnet 90, the octave laments the fleeting nature of time and beauty, while the sestet turns to a meditation on divine transcendence. This division creates a tension between earthly longing and spiritual solace, a dichotomy that defines Petrarchan tradition. The volta's placement here is not arbitrary; it mirrors the human struggle to reconcile conflicting truths.

Shakespearean Evolution: Flexibility and Drama

In the Shakespearean sonnet, the volta becomes a more fluid yet equally potent device. While the Petrarchan model adheres to a fixed octave-sestet structure, Shakespeare's sonnets (and those of his contemporaries) often shift within the final couplet (lines 13-14) or even earlier. This adaptability allows for sharper emotional turns, often subverting expectations.

In Sonnet 116, the volta arrives subtly at line 9: "Love is not love / Which alters when it alteration finds." Here, the shift in grammatical structure and tone reframes the earlier idealism as a defiant rebuttal against doubt. In Sonnet 130, the volta at line 13 ("And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare") transforms a seemingly cynical description into a celebration of authentic, unidealized love. Shakespeare's mastery lies in making the volta feel both surprising and inevitable, reshaping the poem's emotional landscape in an instant.

The Volta as Emotional Core

The volta's power lies in its ability to crystallize the sonnet's emotional truth. Consider Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 43 (How do I love thee? Let me count the ways), where the volta at line 9 shifts from enumerating love's extent to declaring its redemptive force after death. This turn elevates the poem from a list of affections to a meditation on love's immortality.

Similarly, in modern sonnets like W.H. Auden's The More Loving One, the volta at line 9 ("If equal affection cannot be, / Let the more loving one be me") reconfigures the preceding despair into a quiet, resilient self-awareness. The volta doesn't merely redirect the poem-it demands the reader reevaluate everything that preceded it.

The Volta in Modern Context

Even in contemporary poetry, the volta's influence endures. Poets like Ocean Vuong and Eavan Boland employ the turn to dissect themes of identity, trauma, and cultural memory. While modern sonnets may abandon traditional rhyme schemes or line counts, the volta remains a vital tool for anchoring their emotional heft. Its presence ensures that the sonnet, even in reinvented forms, retains a sense of narrative and philosophical urgency.

Conclusion: The Volta's Enduring Legacy

The volta is more than a structural gimmick; it is the sonnet's emotional engine. Whether adhering to centuries-old conventions or pushing formal boundaries, poets use the turn to animate their work with tension, revelation, and catharsis. By mastering the art of the volta, a sonnet transcends mere verse to become a living dialogue-one that invites readers to feel, question, and ultimately understand.