An octave is a stanza of eight lines, commonly used in poetry. In Italian and English sonnets, the octave is the first eight lines, often presenting a problem or proposition, followed by a sestet of six lines that responds to it.

The Petrarchan sonnet is divided into an octave and a sestet, with a volta or turn between them. The octave typically rhymes ABBAABBA. The term comes from the Latin octava, meaning "eighth", and is also used in music for an interval of eight notes.

Key points

• Stanza of eight lines
• First part of a Petrarchan sonnet
• Usually rhymes ABBAABBA
• Often followed by a sestet