A sonnet traditionally consists of 14 lines, and its structure can vary based on the specific type of sonnet. However, in the two most common forms, the Shakespearean and the Petrarchan, the arrangement of couplets differs.
The Shakespearean sonnet is made up of three quatrains followed by a rhymed couplet at the end, totaling one couplet. In contrast, the Petrarchan sonnet is divided into an octave and a sestet, typically containing no couplets.
Overall, while there may technically be one couplet in a Shakespearean sonnet, the number of couplets can vary based on the sonnet form. Thus, if you’re looking for a straightforward answer, a Shakespearean sonnet features 1 couplet, while a traditional Petrarchan sonnet has none.