In poetry, how many lines does a Shakespearean sonnet contain?

A Shakespearean sonnet contains 14 lines, which is a defining characteristic of this particular poetic form. It is structured in three quatrains followed by a final couplet, typically adhering to the rhyme scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This structure allows the poet to explore a theme or argument in the initial quatrains, culminating in a resolution or a twist in the final couplet. Understanding this format is essential for analyzing the thematic developments and stylistic elements typical of Shakespeare's poetry. The other choices reflect line counts that do not correspond to the established form of a sonnet, making them incorrect.