Petrarch, the renowned Italian poet of the 14th century, is famous for his contribution to the sonnet form. He wrote a total of 366 sonnets, which were compiled into a collection known as the ‘Canzoniere’ or ‘Songbook.’
The sonnets primarily explore themes of love, beauty, and the complexities of human emotion, often centered around his idealized love for Laura, a woman he admired throughout his life. Petrarch’s work not only laid the groundwork for the sonnet form but also influenced countless poets and writers in the years that followed.
His 366 sonnets are divided into various sections, each reflecting different phases of his longing and experiences with love, making them a pivotal contribution to both the literary canon of the Renaissance and the evolution of poetry as a whole.