Besides the usual technical requirements, i think a sonnet
should also (& more importantly) possess gravitas*;
& feature a thematic shift or twist in meaning, either
at the ninth line in an Italian sonnet, or at the thirteenth
line in an English one. This "turn" can come earlier or later, but without it it's no more a "Sonnet" than a "haiku"
which lacks that quality of wordless profundity,
yugen.
g.
*serious intent, as opposed to a grave manner
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