How do I analyse a sonnet?

Sonnets are often seen as intimidating poems to analyse, especially Shakespearean ones, but once you break them down they're actually quite simple. A sonnet is firstly significant due to its unique structure - the fourteen lines, split into four 'quatrains', which is another word for section. Each quatrain will be linked of course but slightly separate, and looking at each helps to tease out the meaning within them. The first half of the sonnet usually introduces whatever the subject matter is, and then the final lines will conclude what the poet thinks. Once you've got that structure in your grasp, it's much easier to go about analysing the meaning behind the poem. If you think you've got an overall view of the sonnet, take a closer look at some of the phrases the poet uses - are they metaphors, puns, similes? This will help you to make a close and inciteful analyses. I'd say from there just go with your gut - if you think that's what the poet means and you can back it up, then write that down!