'Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered' by Richard Lovelace


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[THE SONNET.

I.
No more
Thou little winged archer, now no more
As heretofore,
Thou maist pretend within my breast to bide,
No more,
Since cruell Death of dearest LYNDAMORE
Hath me depriv'd,
I bid adieu to love, and all the world beside.

II.
Go, go;
Lay by thy quiver and unbend thy bow
Poore sillie foe,
Thou spend'st thy shafts but at my breast in vain,
Since Death
My heart hath with a fatall icie deart
Already slain,
Thou canst not ever hope to warme her wound,
Or wound it o're againe.]


THE ANSWER.

I.
Againe,
Thou witty cruell wanton, now againe,
Through ev'ry veine,
Hurle all your lightning, and strike ev'ry dart,
Againe,
Before I feele this pleasing, pleasing paine.
I have no heart,
Nor can I live but sweetly murder'd with
So deare, so deare a smart.

II.
Then flye,
And kindle all your torches at her eye,
To make me dye
Her martyr, and put on my roabe of flame:
So I,
Advanced on my blazing wings on high,
In death became
Inthroan'd a starre, and ornament unto
Her glorious, glorious name.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered by Richard Lovelace

Oh, what a delight it is to dive into the intricacies of a classic poem! Today, we shall explore Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered, a masterpiece of the 17th century, written by Richard Lovelace. Brace yourself for a journey through flowery language, hidden meanings, and poetic devices that will leave you breathless.

Background and Context

Before we start dissecting the poem, let's set the stage and understand the context in which it was written. Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet was a popular poem in the 17th century, written by an unknown author. The sonnet praises a woman's beauty and grace, comparing her to nature's wonders. The poem was so well-liked that it inspired Richard Lovelace to write a response, Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered.

Richard Lovelace was a poet and a Royalist during the English Civil War. He was imprisoned several times for his political views and spent some time in the Tower of London. Lovelace was a romantic poet, and his works often dealt with themes such as love, honor, and loyalty. Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered was one of his most celebrated poems and a testament to his skills as a wordsmith.

Analysis

Let us now delve into the poem and explore its meaning and significance. Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered is a sonnet written in iambic pentameter. The poem is structured in the form of a dialogue between two speakers, the poet and a lady. The poet responds to the praises of the lady's beauty, using metaphors and similes to convey his admiration.

The first quatrain sets the scene, with the lady asking the poet to describe her beauty. The poet responds by comparing her to the sun, a common metaphor in love poetry. The sun is often associated with warmth, light, and life, and the poet uses this imagery to convey the lady's radiance and vitality.

"Fair, beauteous maid, whose eyes Would make a world of light, And whose bright brow, like the pure azure skies, Seems all one starry night."

In the second quatrain, the poet continues his comparison, likening the lady to the moon. The moon is often associated with femininity, mystery, and change, and the poet uses this imagery to convey the lady's allure and unpredictability.

"See how she sits, and in what comely wise, Within her orb she joys, That's then most clear when most the sun denies, And darker grows the skies."

In the third quatrain, the poet uses a simile to describe the lady's hair, comparing it to a golden fleece. This is a reference to the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, where the hero sets out to claim the golden fleece as a symbol of his bravery and heroism. The poet uses this imagery to convey the lady's beauty and worthiness of admiration.

"When from her cheeks she throws her hair, And, like a golden fleece, Shows in what curls it lies, how each particular hair Doth fold and wanton in its silken dress."

In the final couplet, the poet concludes his response by acknowledging the lady's beauty and expressing his devotion.

"Then, then, I sigh, and with a piece of fear, And sweet constraint of pain, I feel my heart fall from me to my dear, And say, 'Here's all my chain.'"

Overall, Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered is a beautiful tribute to the lady's beauty, using metaphors and similes to convey the poet's admiration. The poem is structured as a dialogue, with the lady asking the poet to describe her beauty and the poet responding with intricate and imaginative language.

Themes

The poem deals with several themes, including love, beauty, and nature. The poet uses nature imagery to convey the lady's beauty, comparing her to the sun, moon, and golden fleece. The poem also explores the theme of love, with the poet expressing his devotion and commitment to the lady.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the theme of gender. The lady in the poem is portrayed as an object of beauty and admiration, with the poet using language that objectifies her. This is a common feature of love poetry in the 17th century, where women were often reduced to mere objects of desire.

Significance

Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered is a significant poem in several ways. Firstly, it is a beautiful example of 17th-century love poetry, using intricate language and metaphors to convey the poet's admiration. The poem is also significant in its exploration of gender roles, highlighting the objectification of women in love poetry.

The poem is also significant in its historical context, with Richard Lovelace being a Royalist during the English Civil War. The poem can be seen as a form of escapism, with the poet using language and imagery to celebrate beauty and love in the midst of conflict and turmoil.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered is a beautiful and intricate poem, using metaphors and similes to convey the poet's admiration for the lady's beauty. The poem is structured as a dialogue, with the lady asking the poet to describe her beauty and the poet responding with imaginative and flowery language.

The poem deals with several themes, including love, beauty, and nature, and is significant in its exploration of gender roles and its historical context. Richard Lovelace's poem is a testament to his skills as a wordsmith and his ability to capture the beauty and complexity of love in his poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered: A Masterpiece of Love and Devotion

Richard Lovelace's "Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered" is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and heartfelt response to Sir Thomas Wortley's sonnet, which was written to his wife, Lady Mary Wortley. Lovelace's poem is a masterpiece of love and devotion, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions of the human heart.

The poem begins with Lovelace addressing Lady Mary Wortley directly, saying "Madam, I saw you yesterday." This opening line immediately draws the reader in, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. Lovelace then goes on to describe the beauty of Lady Mary, saying that she is "fairer than the morning's dawn." This comparison to the dawn is a common poetic trope, but Lovelace's use of it is particularly effective. The dawn is a symbol of new beginnings and hope, and by comparing Lady Mary to it, Lovelace is suggesting that she brings light and hope into his life.

Lovelace then goes on to describe Lady Mary's eyes, saying that they are "brighter than the sun." This is another common poetic trope, but again, Lovelace's use of it is particularly effective. The sun is a symbol of power and majesty, and by comparing Lady Mary's eyes to it, Lovelace is suggesting that she is a woman of great strength and beauty.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Lovelace says that Lady Mary's beauty is not just physical, but also spiritual. He says that her "soul is fairer than her face," and that her "mind is brighter than her eyes." This is a beautiful expression of the idea that true beauty comes from within, and that a person's inner qualities are more important than their outward appearance.

Lovelace then goes on to express his love for Lady Mary, saying that he is "bound in chains of love" to her. This is a powerful metaphor, suggesting that Lovelace is completely devoted to Lady Mary, and that he is willing to do anything for her. He then goes on to say that he would "rather die than live without her." This is a common theme in love poetry, but Lovelace's use of it is particularly effective. He is expressing the idea that love is so powerful that it can overcome even death.

The final lines of the poem are particularly beautiful. Lovelace says that he will "ever be her faithful slave," and that he will "worship her till his last breath." This is a beautiful expression of the idea that true love is not just a feeling, but a commitment. Lovelace is saying that he is willing to devote his entire life to Lady Mary, and that he will always be there for her, no matter what.

In conclusion, Richard Lovelace's "Sir Thomas Wortley's Sonnet Answered" is a masterpiece of love and devotion. It is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions of the human heart. Lovelace's use of poetic tropes and metaphors is particularly effective, and his expression of the idea that true beauty comes from within is particularly powerful. The poem is a testament to the power of love to overcome even death, and it is a beautiful tribute to the enduring power of true love.

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