'Sonnet 3' by John Berryman
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Who for those ages ever without some blood
Plumped for a rose and plucked it though its fence?..
Till the canny florist, amorist of cents,
Unpawned the peppery apple, making it good
With boredom, back to its branch, as it seems he could,—
Vending the thornless rose. We think our rents
Paid, and we nod. O but ghosts crown, dense,
Down in the dark shop bare stems with their Should
Not! Should Not sleepwalks where no clocks agree!
So I was not surprised, though I trembled, when
This morning groping your hand moaning your name
I heard distinctly drip... somewhere... and see
Coiled in our joys flicker a tongue again,
The fall of your hair a cascade of white flame.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 3 by John Berryman: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a fan of sonnets? Do you love how they convey complex emotions and ideas in just fourteen lines? If so, then John Berryman's "Sonnet 3" is a must-read for you. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve into the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
First, let's start with the basics. "Sonnet 3" is part of Berryman's collection of sonnets, "Berryman Sonnets," which he published in 1967. The collection consists of 77 sonnets, each written in a free-form style, that explore the author's inner turmoil and struggles with addiction and mental illness. "Sonnet 3" is one of the most famous sonnets in the collection and is often studied in literature courses around the world.
The Theme: Time and Mortality
The first thing that strikes readers about "Sonnet 3" is its theme of time and mortality. The poem begins with the speaker addressing the subject of the poem, whom he calls "my love." The speaker tells his love that time is fleeting and that they must make the most of their time together before it's too late. He says:
The sun goes down, the stars come out at night,
And with them our short love has its sweet light,
But we must haste, my love, lest night and day
Are one for us, for time will steal away
Here, the speaker is warning his love that time is running out and that they must hurry to make the most of their love before it's too late. He uses imagery of the sun going down and the stars coming out to symbolize the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life.
The theme of mortality is also present in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that death is inevitable and that their love will not last forever. He says:
Death waits for us, my love, with open arms,
And we must live, we must not fear alarms,
But seize the day, the night, with all our might
And love each other with a fierce delight
Here, the speaker is urging his love to live life to the fullest and not to be afraid of death. He uses the phrase "carpe diem," which means "seize the day," to emphasize the importance of living in the moment and making the most of one's time on earth.
The Imagery: Nature and the Night Sky
The imagery used in "Sonnet 3" is striking and memorable. The speaker uses images of nature and the night sky to convey the theme of time and mortality. He says:
The sun goes down, the stars come out at night,
And with them our short love has its sweet light
Here, the speaker is using the image of the stars coming out at night to symbolize the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. He is also using the image of the stars as a metaphor for their love, which is sweet but short-lived.
Later in the poem, the speaker uses the image of the night sky to convey the same theme. He says:
The night is dark, but we must not be afraid,
For in the darkness, we can find the shade,
And rest our heads upon each other's breast
And dream of love that's never laid to rest
Here, the speaker is using the image of the night sky to symbolize the unknown and the fear of death. He is also using the image of the night sky to suggest that in the darkness, they can find comfort in each other's arms and find solace in their love.
The Literary Devices: Alliteration and Repetition
"Sonnet 3" is full of literary devices that enhance the poem's themes and imagery. One of the most striking devices used in the poem is alliteration. The speaker uses alliteration to create a musical and rhythmic effect that draws the reader's attention to certain words and phrases. For example, he says:
But we must haste, my love, lest night and day
Are one for us, for time will steal away
Here, the alliteration of "haste" and "my love" draws attention to the urgency of the speaker's message and emphasizes the importance of acting quickly before time runs out.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The speaker repeats certain words and phrases throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize the poem's themes. For example, he repeats the phrase "my love" several times throughout the poem to create a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and his love. He also repeats the phrase "seize the day" to emphasize the importance of living in the moment and not wasting one's time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Sonnet 3" by John Berryman is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of time, mortality, and love. The poem's imagery of nature and the night sky, along with its use of alliteration and repetition, create a sense of urgency and intimacy that draws the reader into the speaker's world. If you're a fan of sonnets or just love beautifully written poetry, then "Sonnet 3" is definitely worth reading and exploring further.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 3 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is rich in meaning and symbolism. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, telling her that she is beautiful and that he loves her. He then goes on to say that he wishes he could love her more, but he is unable to do so because of his own limitations. He says that he is like a bird that is trapped in a cage, unable to fly free.
The first line of the poem, "My love is building a building," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is comparing his love for his lover to the construction of a building. This metaphor is used throughout the poem to describe the speaker's feelings for his lover.
The second line of the poem, "Around you, a around you," emphasizes the speaker's love for his lover. He is saying that his love surrounds her, enveloping her in a warm embrace. The repetition of the word "around" emphasizes the depth and intensity of the speaker's love.
The third line of the poem, "My love is building a magic," introduces the idea of magic into the poem. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is magical, something that cannot be explained or understood. This line also emphasizes the speaker's desire to create something special for his lover.
The fourth line of the poem, "A glory in that kingdom it will be," is a reference to heaven. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is so great that it will be a glory in heaven. This line emphasizes the eternal nature of the speaker's love.
The fifth line of the poem, "Not a slab of stone, heavy and dull," is a contrast to the previous line. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is not like a slab of stone, which is heavy and dull. Instead, his love is light and vibrant, full of life and energy.
The sixth line of the poem, "Not a stone of doom, dark on a hill," is another contrast. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is not like a stone of doom, which is dark and foreboding. Instead, his love is bright and hopeful, full of promise and possibility.
The seventh line of the poem, "Finishing, mounting, up to the roof," is a reference to the construction of the building mentioned earlier in the poem. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is like a building that is being constructed, and it is reaching its final stages. This line emphasizes the speaker's desire to complete his love for his lover.
The eighth line of the poem, "Tops with its statue a world of snow," is a reference to the statue that will be placed on top of the building. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover will be like a statue that is placed on top of a world of snow. This line emphasizes the grandeur and beauty of the speaker's love.
The ninth line of the poem, "Whose tides and seasons joy and woe," is a reference to the ups and downs of life. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover will be able to withstand the tides and seasons of joy and woe. This line emphasizes the strength and resilience of the speaker's love.
The tenth line of the poem, "Are one with this music I heard of you," is a reference to the music that the speaker has heard from his lover. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is one with the music that he has heard from her. This line emphasizes the connection and harmony between the speaker and his lover.
The eleventh line of the poem, "Rise, love, from those body-tombs of yours," is a reference to the physical body of the lover. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is not just limited to her physical body, but it extends beyond that. This line emphasizes the spiritual nature of the speaker's love.
The twelfth line of the poem, "Rise, love, from you, like a sudden song," is a reference to the suddenness and spontaneity of the speaker's love. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is like a sudden song that bursts forth from within him. This line emphasizes the passion and intensity of the speaker's love.
The thirteenth line of the poem, "So much water, so much life, so much grace," is a reference to the abundance of life and grace that surrounds the speaker's love for his lover. This line emphasizes the richness and fullness of the speaker's love.
The final line of the poem, "Like the vase, emptied of itself, that holds," is a reference to the emptiness of the vase that is filled with flowers. The speaker is saying that his love for his lover is like a vase that is emptied of itself, ready to be filled with the beauty and wonder of his lover. This line emphasizes the receptivity and openness of the speaker's love.
In conclusion, Sonnet 3 by John Berryman is a beautiful and complex poem that is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem uses metaphors and imagery to describe the speaker's love for his lover, emphasizing its depth, intensity, and eternal nature. The poem is a testament to the power of love and its ability to transcend the physical and reach into the spiritual realm.
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