The end of a sonnet is typically called the “couplet” or, in some cases, the “final stanza.” In a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of 14 lines, the last two lines form a rhymed couplet. This couplet often serves to summarize the main theme or provide a twist to the poem’s narrative.
In contrast, a Petrarchan sonnet divides into an octave and a sestet, where the octave presents a problem or situation, and the sestet offers a resolution or reflection. The conclusion in this structure can also be viewed as an integral part of the poem’s overall message. Regardless of the type, the end of the sonnet is crucial because it often leaves a lasting impression on the reader and ties together the themes presented throughout the poem.