Petrarchan conceit

A Petrarchan conceit is a figure of speech, often a simile or metaphor, that creates an ingenious comparison between seemingly unlike things. Popular in Renaissance sonnets, it typically involves a suffering lover hyperbolically comparing their beloved to an object, such as a tomb or the sun. For example, a mistress's eyes might be compared to sapphires.1

This literary device is named after the Italian poet Petrarch, whose work heavily influenced European literature. While Petrarch's poetry explored his love for Laura, it also delved into his spiritual conflicts. His style, including the use of conceits, became a model for poets for centuries. However, some poets, like William Shakespeare, reacted against the Petrarchan conceit by negating its conventions in their work.231