'Sonnet 81' by Edmund Spenser
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Fair is my love, when her fair golden hears
with the loose wind the waving chance to mark:
fair when the rose in her red cheeks appears,
or in her eyes the fire of love does spark.
Fair when her breast like a rich laden bark
with precious merchandise she forth doth lay:
fair when that cloud of pride, which oft doth dark
her goodly light, with smiles she drives away.
But fairest she, when so she doth display
the gate with pearls and rubies richly dight
through which her words so wise do make their way
to bear the message of her gentle spright.
The rest be works of nature's wonderment,
but this the work of heart's astonishment.
Submitted by Melanie Wright
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 81 by Edmund Spenser: A Masterpiece of Elizabethan Poetry
Sonnet 81 by Edmund Spenser is a beautiful and complex poem. It was written during the Elizabethan era, a time when poetry was a highly valued art form that was used to express love, politics, and religion. In this sonnet, Spenser explores the theme of love and the power it holds over the human heart. Through a detailed literary analysis and interpretation, we will examine the structure, language, and symbolism of this classic poem.
Structure
Sonnet 81 is a traditional English sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines and written in iambic pentameter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB BCBC CDCD EE, which is typical of the Shakespearean sonnet. This rhyme scheme is important because it creates a sense of order and balance in the poem.
The poem is divided into three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The first quatrain describes the beauty of the beloved, the second quatrain describes the power of love, and the third quatrain describes the effects of love on the speaker. The concluding couplet offers a resolution, suggesting that the only way to escape the pain of love is to embrace it fully.
The structure of the sonnet is important because it allows the poet to develop his ideas in a logical and structured way. Each quatrain offers a new perspective on the theme of love, building to the final resolution in the concluding couplet.
Language
Spenser's use of language in this sonnet is both rich and complex. He employs a range of poetic techniques such as metaphor, simile, personification, and allusion to create a vivid and evocative picture of his subject.
In the first quatrain, the speaker describes the beauty of his beloved. He uses a metaphor to describe her eyes as "two faire sunnes." This metaphor is particularly effective because it creates a vivid image of the brightness and radiance of her eyes. The use of "faire" also suggests a sense of purity and goodness, which adds to the overall positive tone of the poem.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes the power of love. He uses a simile to describe love as a "mightie force" that "doth rule and guide." This simile is particularly effective because it creates an image of love as a powerful and irresistible force that governs the actions of the speaker.
In the third quatrain, the speaker describes the effects of love on his heart. He uses personification to describe his heart as a "field" that has been "ploughed" by love. This personification is particularly effective because it creates a vivid image of the speaker's heart as a vulnerable and fertile ground that has been deeply affected by love.
Throughout the poem, Spenser also employs allusion to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, in the concluding couplet, he alludes to the myth of Sisyphus to suggest that the only way to escape the pain of love is to embrace it fully. This allusion is particularly effective because it adds a layer of meaning to the poem, suggesting that love is a universal experience that has been explored by writers throughout history.
Symbolism
Spenser also uses symbolism in this poem to create a deeper and more complex meaning. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the image of the sun. In the first quatrain, the speaker describes his beloved's eyes as "two faire sunnes." This image is particularly effective because it suggests that the beauty of the beloved is so powerful that it rivals the brightness and radiance of the sun. The sun is also a symbol of warmth and life, suggesting that the beloved brings light and vitality to the speaker's life.
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the heart. In the third quatrain, the speaker describes his heart as a "field" that has been "ploughed" by love. This image is particularly effective because it suggests that the heart is a fertile ground that has been deeply affected by love. The heart is also a symbol of emotion and passion, suggesting that the speaker's love is intense and all-consuming.
Interpretation
The central theme of Sonnet 81 is love and its power over the human heart. The poem suggests that love is a force that is both beautiful and painful, and that it has the power to transform the speaker's life. The use of metaphor, simile, personification, and allusion creates a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's experience of love.
The concluding couplet is particularly important because it offers a resolution to the speaker's dilemma. The speaker suggests that the only way to escape the pain of love is to embrace it fully. This resolution is particularly effective because it suggests that the only way to find happiness in love is to accept its power and allow it to transform your life.
Overall, Sonnet 81 is a masterpiece of Elizabethan poetry. It explores the universal theme of love with a depth and complexity that is still relevant today. The use of structure, language, and symbolism creates a rich and evocative picture of the speaker's experience of love, and the concluding couplet offers a resolution that is both powerful and thought-provoking.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 81 by Edmund Spenser is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is full of meaning and depth. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem is part of Spenser's famous collection of sonnets, Amoretti. It was written in the late 16th century and is considered one of the greatest love poems of all time. The sonnet is addressed to the poet's beloved, and it expresses his deep love and devotion to her.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying that he has written many sonnets in her honor, but none of them can truly capture the depth of his love for her. He says that his love is so great that it cannot be expressed in words, and that he wishes he could find a way to show her how much he loves her.
The first quatrain of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet. The speaker is expressing his frustration with language and its limitations. He wants to express his love for his beloved, but he feels that words are not enough. He says that his love is like a fire that burns within him, but he cannot find the words to describe it.
In the second quatrain, the speaker compares his love to a flame that burns bright and hot. He says that his love is like a flame that cannot be extinguished, no matter how hard he tries. He also says that his love is like a flame that illuminates everything around it, making everything brighter and more beautiful.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker really starts to get emotional. He says that his love is like a river that flows endlessly, never stopping or slowing down. He says that his love is like a river that is always moving forward, never looking back. He also says that his love is like a river that is deep and wide, and that it will never run dry.
The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker sums up his feelings. He says that his love is so great that it cannot be contained in words, and that it will live on forever. He says that even after he is gone, his love will continue to burn bright, like a flame that never dies.
The structure of the poem is a classic Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The iambic pentameter is also consistent throughout the poem, which gives it a smooth and flowing rhythm.
The language of the poem is rich and full of imagery. The speaker uses metaphors and similes to describe his love for his beloved. He compares his love to a flame, a river, and a fire. These images are powerful and help to convey the depth of his emotions.
One of the themes of the poem is the power of love. The speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that it cannot be contained in words. It is a force that burns within him, like a flame that cannot be extinguished. This theme is universal and timeless, and it is one of the reasons why this poem has endured for so long.
Another theme of the poem is the limitations of language. The speaker is frustrated with words and their inability to express his love for his beloved. He wishes he could find a way to show her how much he loves her, but he feels that words are not enough. This theme is also universal and timeless, and it is something that many people can relate to.
In conclusion, Sonnet 81 by Edmund Spenser is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love and language. The structure and language of the poem are masterful, and the imagery is rich and evocative. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the limitations of language, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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