Shakespearean Sonnet V.S. Italian Sonnet?

Writing a true Italian Sonnet is MUCH harder than a Shakespearean. Both forms require a specific meter and rhyme scheme, but to qualify as an Italian you are also limited to telling a story a certain way within your Sonnet. I think you have a lot more freedom with the Shakespearean so you should go with it. Let me know if you need the technical specification of the Shakespearean Sonnet and I'll post it for you.