A Shakespearean sonnet is a type of poem that consists of 14 lines, written in iambic pentameter. It follows a specific rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. Each sonnet typically explores themes of love, beauty, or time, often presenting a problem or question in the first twelve lines and resolving it in the final couplet. The structure of a Shakespearean sonnet allows for a clear progression of thought. The first three quatrains develop the theme, while the concluding couplet offers a twist or insight. This format has made it a popular choice for poets, influencing many writers throughout literary history.