'Sonnet 36' by John Berryman
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Keep your eyes open when you kiss: do: when
You kiss. All silly time else, close them to;
Unsleeping, I implore you (dear) pursue
In darkness me, as I do you again
Instantly we part... only me both then
And when your fingers fall, let there be two
Only, 'in that dream-kingdom': I would have you
Me alone recognize your citizen.
Before who wanted eyes, making love, so?
I do now. However we are driven and hide,
What state we keep all other states condemn,
We see ourselves, we watch the solemn glow
Of empty courts we kiss in... Open wide!
You do, you do, and I look into them.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigma that is Sonnet 36 by John Berryman
Sonnet 36 by John Berryman is a masterful piece of poetry that leaves much to the imagination of the reader. This poem is one of the most complex and enigmatic works of the American poet. It is an exploration of love, loss, and mortality, written in a language that is both simple and profound. Berryman's Sonnet 36 is an intricate work of art that requires careful analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and depth.
The Sonnet Structure
Berryman's Sonnet 36 follows the traditional structure of an English sonnet, with 14 lines of iambic pentameter divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is a deviation from the common Shakespearean rhyme scheme. The poem's structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry that is disrupted by the content of the poem.
The Content of the Sonnet
The poem's opening line, "I know I am but summer to your heart," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker acknowledges that he is only a temporary presence in the life of his beloved, just as summer is fleeting. The metaphor of summer as a representation of the speaker's relationship with his beloved is continued throughout the poem, with the speaker referencing the changing seasons as a symbol of the impermanence of their love.
The second quatrain of the poem introduces the theme of mortality, with the speaker stating that his "fading summer hath less power to make you stay." The speaker is aware that as he grows older, his attractiveness to his beloved will diminish. The third quatrain continues the theme of mortality, with the speaker comparing his life to a "brief candle" that will soon be extinguished. The final couplet of the poem is a plea to his beloved, asking her to remember him after he is gone.
The Language of the Sonnet
Berryman's use of language in Sonnet 36 is both simple and profound. He employs a range of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. The use of metaphor, for example, is prevalent throughout the poem. The metaphor of summer as a representation of the speaker's relationship with his beloved is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of temporality and the inevitability of change.
The language of Sonnet 36 is also notable for its ambiguity. The poem can be read in a number of different ways, with the speaker's intentions and emotions open to interpretation. For example, the final couplet of the poem, "Remember me when no more day by day / You tell me of our future that you planned," can be read as either a plea for his beloved to remember him after he is gone, or as a bitter reminder of the future that they will never have together.
The Themes of the Sonnet
The themes of love, loss, and mortality are central to Sonnet 36. The poem explores the transitory nature of love and the inevitability of loss. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of his relationship with his beloved. The poem is also a meditation on the power of memory and the importance of being remembered after we are gone.
The Significance of Sonnet 36
Sonnet 36 is a significant work of poetry that showcases Berryman's skill as a writer. The poem is a masterful exploration of love, loss, and mortality that is both simple and profound. Its ambiguity and complexity make it a piece of poetry that can be read and interpreted in a number of different ways. Sonnet 36 is a testament to the enduring power of the sonnet form, and a reminder of the importance of poetry as a means of expressing the complexities of the human experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 36 by John Berryman is a masterpiece of American poetry. Its exploration of love, loss, and mortality is both simple and profound, and its use of language and literary devices is masterful. The poem's ambiguity and complexity make it a piece of poetry that can be interpreted in a number of different ways, and its enduring relevance is a testament to the power of poetry as a means of expressing the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 36 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that speaks to the human condition in a way that is both profound and relatable. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.
The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. Sonnet 36 follows the traditional Shakespearean rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize the themes that are present in the poem.
The first quatrain of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "All day I hear the noise of waters." This line sets a peaceful and serene tone for the poem. The speaker is listening to the sound of water, which is a calming and soothing sound. However, the next line, "Making moan," introduces a sense of sadness and melancholy. The water is not just making noise, it is making a mournful noise. This sets up the theme of the poem, which is the contrast between beauty and sadness.
The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme. The speaker says, "All day I hear the noise of waters / Making moan, / Sad as the sea-bird is when, going / Forth alone." The sea-bird is a metaphor for the speaker. The speaker is alone, just like the sea-bird, and is feeling sad and melancholy. The use of the sea-bird metaphor is effective because it helps to emphasize the theme of the poem. The sea-bird is a beautiful creature, but it is also sad and lonely. This is the same contrast that the speaker is feeling.
The third quatrain of the poem introduces a new theme. The speaker says, "He hears the cry of the sedge / In the distance, and sees the bird / Heading home again." The sedge is a type of grass that grows near water. The cry of the sedge is a metaphor for the speaker's own cry. The speaker is crying out for something, but he is not sure what it is. The bird heading home is a metaphor for the speaker's desire to find a home. The speaker is searching for something, but he is not sure what it is.
The final couplet of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker says, "It is a joy to roam / Through the sea of thought alone." The sea of thought is a metaphor for the speaker's mind. The speaker finds joy in exploring his own thoughts and feelings, even though they are sad and melancholy. The final line of the poem, "But would it not be sweeter far / To see thee, and to hear thy voice?" brings the poem full circle. The speaker is searching for something, and that something is another person. The contrast between beauty and sadness is resolved in the idea of human connection.
Overall, Sonnet 36 by John Berryman is a beautiful and profound poem that explores the human condition in a way that is both relatable and universal. The themes of beauty and sadness, loneliness and connection, and the search for meaning and purpose are all present in this poem. The use of metaphors and the traditional sonnet structure help to emphasize these themes and give the poem a musical quality. This is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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