English Sonnet Development
 

Okay, before everyone jumps on my case about not using Google, I PLAN TO, but I'd like some help first...

I have a short research paper due Thursday about the development of the English sonnet. I got to thinkin' to myself "You know, that sounds easy enough, but I don't know any key points along the way". So what I'd like to ask is some important steps in the making of the English sonnet, then I could research them in-depth. Thanks in advance.

Hm, interesting question, I'd like to know any interesting facts if you find them.

I'm not sure if it's important, but the scene in Romeo and Juliet, where they first meet at the party, they speak together in a sonnet, each one with an alternate segment. Maybe that's a step, in that Shakespeare incorporated a sonnet as dialog between two characters?

*searches Yahoo! Reference....*

here's their first lines together, beginning at 1.5.93:

Hope that helps.