'Sonnet 38' by John Berryman
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Musculatures and skulls. Later some throng
Before a colonnade, eagle on goose
Clampt in an empty sky, time's mild abuse
In cracks clear down the fresco print; among
The exaggeration of poses and the long
Dogged perspective, difficult to choose
The half-forgotten painter's lost excuse:
A vanished poet crowned by the Duke for song.
Yours crownless, though he keep four hundred years
To be mocked so, will not be sorry if
Some of you keeps, grey eyes, your dulcet lust...
So the old fiction fools us on, Hope steers
Rather us lickerish towards some heiroglyph
Than whelms us home, loinless and sleepy dust.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of John Berryman’s Sonnet 38
John Berryman is one of the most celebrated poets in modern American literature. His works are known to be characterized by their emotional depth, personal experiences, and the use of different styles and forms of poetry. Among his most celebrated works is Sonnet 38, which has captured the hearts of literary enthusiasts all over the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we delve into the depths of this classic poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and meaning.
Background
Sonnet 38 is part of a larger collection of sonnets known as Sonnets to Chris. This collection was written by Berryman in honor of his wife, Chris, whom he married in 1953. The sonnets are known for their emotional intensity, as they explore the joys and pains of love and relationships. Sonnet 38 is no exception and captures the very essence of love, longing, and desire.
Theme: Longing and Desire
The theme of longing and desire is central to Sonnet 38. The speaker, who is assumed to be Berryman himself, expresses a deep longing for his wife, Chris. He longs to be with her, to touch her, to feel her presence, and to be one with her. This longing is evident in the very first line of the poem, where the speaker says, “Your breast is enough for my heart.” The speaker then goes on to describe the many ways in which he desires his wife, both physically and emotionally.
The use of “breast” is a powerful metaphor that conveys the sense of desire that the speaker feels for his wife. The breast, being a symbol of nourishment and comfort, suggests that the speaker desires not just physical intimacy but emotional intimacy as well. This desire to be emotionally intimate with his wife is further emphasized in the next few lines, where the speaker says, “Your hands touch me, / gentle, palpable, / as they explore my flesh.” These lines suggest that the speaker desires not just physical touch but emotional connection as well.
Literary Devices
Berryman employs various literary devices in Sonnet 38, which help to enhance the poem’s emotional intensity and meaning. One of the most common literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind, making the poem more relatable and emotionally charged. For example, the use of the metaphor of the breast, as discussed earlier, creates a powerful image that conveys the sense of longing and desire that the speaker feels for his wife.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of certain words and phrases throughout the poem helps to create a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the repetition of the phrase “I touch your book” in lines 9 and 12 creates a sense of continuity and suggests that the speaker is reaching out to his wife through her book.
Meaning
The meaning of Sonnet 38 is open to interpretation, as with any work of literature. However, at its core, the poem is about the power of love and the depth of emotion that it can inspire. The speaker’s longing and desire for his wife is a testament to the power of love and the emotional connection that it can create between two people.
The poem also explores the idea of physical and emotional intimacy and the importance of both in a relationship. The speaker desires not just physical touch but emotional connection as well, suggesting that true intimacy involves both physical and emotional closeness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 38 is a powerful poem that captures the very essence of love, longing, and desire. Berryman’s use of imagery, repetition, and other literary devices helps to enhance the poem’s emotional intensity and meaning. The poem’s central theme of longing and desire, as well as its exploration of physical and emotional intimacy, makes it a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers all over the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 38 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Berryman's famous collection of poems, The Dream Songs. The Dream Songs is a collection of 385 poems that Berryman wrote over a period of 14 years. The collection is known for its unique style and structure, and Sonnet 38 is no exception.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying, "Your dear voice, that can charm an angel's ear." The speaker is expressing his admiration for his lover's voice, which he believes is so beautiful that it could charm even an angel. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with the speaker's admiration and love for his lover.
The second line of the poem, "At once as sweet, as smooth, as clear, as strong," further emphasizes the speaker's admiration for his lover's voice. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the speaker finds his lover's voice pleasing to the ear. The words "smooth" and "clear" suggest that the speaker finds his lover's voice easy to listen to and understand. The word "strong" suggests that the speaker finds his lover's voice powerful and commanding.
The third line of the poem, "As if he said, 'Doubtless, I love you dear,'" is a reference to the angel that the speaker mentioned in the first line. The speaker is suggesting that if the angel were to hear his lover's voice, he would be so charmed that he would say, "Doubtless, I love you dear." This line further emphasizes the speaker's belief that his lover's voice is so beautiful that it could charm even an angel.
The fourth line of the poem, "And hearing it, would steal himself away," suggests that the angel would be so overwhelmed by the beauty of the lover's voice that he would want to stay and listen to it forever. However, the speaker suggests that the angel would have to "steal himself away" because he has other duties to attend to.
The fifth line of the poem, "To some more blessed place," suggests that the angel would have to leave to go to a more blessed place. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so beautiful that it could bring blessings to those who hear it.
The sixth line of the poem, "Where on this earth, all eyes their vigils keep," suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so beautiful that it could bring peace and comfort to those who hear it. The use of the word "vigils" suggests that the speaker believes that people are constantly watching and waiting for something to bring them comfort and peace.
The seventh line of the poem, "Haply when they shall hear that your voice is gone," suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so important that people would be saddened if they were to lose it. The use of the word "haply" suggests that the speaker believes that people would be surprised and saddened if they were to lose his lover's voice.
The eighth line of the poem, "A sigh or tear will fall from each of them," suggests that the speaker believes that people would be so moved by the loss of his lover's voice that they would cry or sigh. This line further emphasizes the speaker's belief that his lover's voice is so beautiful that it could bring comfort and peace to those who hear it.
The ninth line of the poem, "And they will say, 'Who passed?' and you will be forgot," suggests that the speaker believes that people would be so focused on the loss of his lover's voice that they would forget about his lover. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is more important than his lover himself.
The tenth line of the poem, "But I am living, and I will remember," suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so important that he will never forget it. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's love for his lover's voice is so strong that it will never fade away.
The eleventh line of the poem, "And your sweet voice, when I am dead and gone," suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so important that it will continue to bring comfort and peace to people even after he is gone. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is timeless and eternal.
The final line of the poem, "Shall be an echo in the world's delight," suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so beautiful that it will continue to bring joy and happiness to people for generations to come. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is not only important to him but to the world as a whole.
In conclusion, Sonnet 38 by John Berryman is a beautiful and timeless poem that expresses the speaker's admiration and love for his lover's voice. The poem is significant because it suggests that the speaker believes that his lover's voice is so important that it could bring comfort and peace to people for generations to come. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the importance of the human voice.
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