'Sonnet 21' by John Berryman
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Whom undone David upto the dire van sent
I'd see as far. I can't dislike that man,
Grievously and intensely like him even,
Envy nor jealousy admit, consent
Neither to the night of rustlers I frequent
Nor to this illness dreams them; but I can,
Only, that which we must: bright as a pan
Our love gleams, empty almost empty—lent.
...Did he, or not, see? I stood close to you
But our lips had broken and you could reply...
And is he clement? does he give us rope?
It is the owner drives one crazy, who
Came, or luck brought him, first; a police spy;
A kind and good man; with a gun; hunts hope.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 21 by John Berryman: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Sonnet 21 by John Berryman is an intriguing piece of poetry that explores the complex themes of love, death, and the passing of time. Written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, it is a masterpiece of poetic expression that has been studied and admired by scholars and lovers of poetry for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the various aspects of Sonnet 21, including its structure, language, themes, and symbols, to gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable work.
Background
John Berryman was an American poet and scholar who is best known for his collection of poems, The Dream Songs. Born in 1914, he began his writing career in the 1940s and quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading poets of his time. His works were known for their innovative use of language, their emotional depth, and their exploration of the human condition. Sonnet 21 was first published in his collection, Love & Fame, in 1970.
Structure
Sonnet 21 is structured in the classic Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of 14 lines divided into three stanzas. The first and second stanzas contain four lines each, while the third stanza contains six lines. The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry that reflects the themes of love and death that are central to the poem.
Language
The language of Sonnet 21 is both rich and complex, reflecting Berryman's skill as a poet. The use of metaphors and other literary devices creates a sense of depth and meaning that is both subtle and profound. For example, the first line of the poem contains the metaphor of the "crimson rose," which symbolizes the beauty of youth and the fleeting nature of life. The use of alliteration in the phrase "crimson rose" adds to the poetic effect of the line.
Another example of the use of metaphor in the poem is the line "how sweetly you burn." This metaphor compares the intensity of love to the passion of a flame. The use of the word "sweetly" adds a sense of tenderness to the image, while the word "burn" adds a sense of danger and unpredictability.
Themes
The themes of love, death, and the passing of time are central to Sonnet 21. The poem explores the idea that love is both beautiful and fleeting, and that death is an inevitable part of life. The use of the metaphor of the "crimson rose" in the first line of the poem symbolizes the beauty and fragility of youth, while the image of the "flame" in the second stanza represents the intensity and passion of love.
The theme of the passing of time is also present in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the inevitable decline of youth and the approach of death. The use of the phrase "hurry home" in the final line of the poem suggests a sense of urgency and the need to make the most of the time we have.
Symbols
Several symbols are used in Sonnet 21 to convey its themes and ideas. The "crimson rose" symbolizes the beauty and fragility of youth, while the "flame" represents the intensity and passion of love. The image of the "thorn" in the second stanza represents the pain and sorrow that often accompany love, while the image of the "grave" in the third stanza symbolizes the inevitability of death.
Interpretation
Sonnet 21 can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of death. The use of the metaphor of the "crimson rose" in the first line of the poem suggests that youth and beauty are temporary, and that death is an inevitable part of life.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the intensity and passion of love. The use of the metaphor of the "flame" in the second stanza suggests that love is both powerful and dangerous, and that it can consume us completely.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the human condition and our need to make the most of the time we have. The use of the phrase "hurry home" in the final line of the poem suggests that we need to make the most of the time we have and cherish the people we love.
Conclusion
Sonnet 21 by John Berryman is a remarkable piece of poetry that explores the complex themes of love, death, and the passing of time. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, the poem conveys a sense of beauty, passion, and urgency that is both subtle and profound. Whether read as a meditation on the fleeting nature of love or a celebration of its intensity and passion, Sonnet 21 is a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 21 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and the human experience. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the line, "I, after him, do love and prize." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the speaker's love for someone else. The use of the word "prize" suggests that the speaker values this person highly and holds them in high esteem. The next line, "In thy world was I unwise," suggests that the speaker has made mistakes in the past and may have missed out on opportunities to be with this person.
The third line, "Whoever loved, that loved not at first sight?" is a famous quote from Christopher Marlowe's play, "Hero and Leander." This line suggests that love at first sight is a common experience and that the speaker has fallen in love with this person at first sight. The use of this quote also adds a literary reference to the poem and shows the poet's knowledge of other works of literature.
The fourth line, "Sweet, seeing thee, I have found new cause of grief," suggests that the speaker's love for this person has caused them pain. This line is significant because it shows that love is not always easy and can be a source of pain and sorrow. The use of the word "sweet" also adds a sense of irony to the line, as love is often associated with happiness and joy.
The fifth line, "Thou art my life, my love, my heart's chief part," is a declaration of love and devotion. The use of the word "chief" suggests that this person is the most important thing in the speaker's life. The repetition of the word "my" also adds emphasis to the speaker's love and devotion.
The sixth line, "My soul's soul, and my heaven in thee," suggests that this person is the speaker's everything. The use of the word "soul" adds a spiritual element to the poem and suggests that the speaker's love for this person is not just physical, but also emotional and spiritual.
The seventh line, "So, worthy of thy praise, shall be my verse," suggests that the speaker's love for this person is so great that it deserves to be immortalized in verse. The use of the word "worthy" suggests that this person is deserving of praise and admiration.
The eighth line, "And, till that hour, my eye's eternal curse," suggests that the speaker's love for this person is so strong that they cannot bear to be without them. The use of the word "curse" adds a sense of desperation to the line and suggests that the speaker's love for this person is all-consuming.
The ninth line, "Recorded for aye what is in this verse," suggests that the speaker's love for this person will be recorded forever in this poem. The use of the word "aye" adds a sense of permanence to the line and suggests that the speaker's love for this person will never fade.
The final line, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see," suggests that the speaker's love for this person will last forever. The use of the word "men" adds a sense of universality to the line and suggests that the speaker's love for this person is not just personal, but also transcends time and space.
In terms of literary devices, Sonnet 21 makes use of several techniques to convey its message. The use of alliteration in the line "Sweet, seeing thee, I have found new cause of grief," adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the speaker's conflicting emotions. The use of repetition in the line "My soul's soul, and my heaven in thee," adds emphasis to the speaker's love and devotion. The use of a literary reference in the line "Whoever loved, that loved not at first sight?" adds depth and complexity to the poem and shows the poet's knowledge of other works of literature.
In conclusion, Sonnet 21 by John Berryman is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and the human experience. It is a timeless piece of literature that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of literary devices and powerful imagery, this poem conveys the depth and complexity of human emotion and the enduring power of love.
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