'Sonnet 8' by John Berryman


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College of cocktails, a few gentlemen,
Of whippersnappers and certain serious boys,
Who better discriminates than I your noise
From the lemon song and black light assertion
Of the academics of eternity?... Your fen—
Yet it's your fen yields this perfume I poise
Full against Helen, and Isotta: toys
To time's late action in this girl. Again
As first when I sat down amongst your trees
I respect you and am moved by you! Hér you
Taught not, nor could, but comrades of hers you have,
She sleeps, she rouses, near you, near she frees
Each morning her strange eyes, eyes that grey blue
Not blue... for your incurable sins some salve.


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tangled Emotions of Sonnet 8 by John Berryman

Sonnet 8 by John Berryman is a complex and compelling piece of poetry that delves into the tumultuous emotions of love and longing. Through vivid imagery and intricate wordplay, Berryman paints a portrait of a man consumed by his desire for a woman who is just out of reach. This 14-line poem is a masterful expression of the complexities of human feeling, and it is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.

The Opening Lines: A Sense of Longing

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire for the woman he loves. He describes her as "the lady of my heart's esteeme", emphasizing her importance to him. The use of the word "lady" suggests a level of formality and distance between the two, perhaps indicating that the speaker is not yet close to her.

The second line of the poem introduces the central metaphor of the sonnet: the idea of the lover as a ship navigating treacherous waters. The speaker compares his journey towards his beloved to that of a ship battling the tides and storms of the sea. This metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the poem, highlighting the difficulty and uncertainty of the speaker's quest for love.

The Third and Fourth Lines: A Challenge to Love

The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce a note of challenge and defiance. The speaker declares that he is "resolv'd to sail", indicating his determination to continue pursuing the woman he loves, despite the obstacles in his path. This determination is reinforced by the use of the word "resolv'd", which suggests a firmness of purpose.

The fourth line introduces a note of ambiguity, as the speaker declares that he is "ready to be lost". This could be interpreted in a number of ways: it could suggest a willingness to risk everything for love, or a sense of fatalism in the face of an uncertain outcome. The use of the word "lost" is particularly evocative, suggesting a sense of danger and uncertainty.

The Fifth and Sixth Lines: A Sense of Direction

The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet introduce a note of hope and direction. The speaker declares that he is "guided by the starres", suggesting that he has a sense of purpose and direction in his pursuit of love. The use of the word "starres" is particularly significant, as it suggests a sense of destiny and fate.

The sixth line reinforces this sense of hope and direction, as the speaker declares that he is "steadfast as thou art". This line suggests that the woman he loves is also steadfast in her own pursuits, adding to the sense of mutual determination and shared destiny.

The Seventh and Eighth Lines: A Sense of Danger

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem introduce a note of danger and uncertainty. The speaker declares that he is "plunged in a gulf", suggesting that his pursuit of love has led him into treacherous waters. This sense of danger is reinforced by the use of the word "gulf", which evokes a sense of depth and darkness.

The eighth line introduces a note of ambiguity, as the speaker declares that he is "almost drowned". This could be interpreted in a number of ways: it could suggest that the speaker is close to achieving his goal, or that he is nearing the point of giving up. The use of the word "almost" adds to the sense of uncertainty and tension.

The Ninth and Tenth Lines: A Sense of Beauty

The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet introduce a note of beauty and wonder. The speaker describes his beloved as a "marvel of the world", emphasizing her beauty and uniqueness. This line suggests that the speaker's pursuit of love is not just driven by desire, but by a genuine appreciation of his beloved's qualities.

The tenth line reinforces this sense of wonder, as the speaker declares that his beloved is "rare and radiant", suggesting that she is truly extraordinary. This line evokes a sense of admiration and awe, highlighting the speaker's deep affection for the woman he loves.

The Eleventh and Twelfth Lines: A Sense of Distance

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet introduce a note of distance and separation. The speaker declares that his beloved is "remote and cold", suggesting that she is emotionally distant from him. This sense of separation is reinforced by the use of the word "remote", which suggests a physical and emotional distance.

The twelfth line introduces a note of ambiguity, as the speaker declares that his beloved is "unfriendly to my sighes". This could be interpreted in a number of ways: it could suggest that the speaker's beloved is indifferent to his feelings, or that she is actively hostile towards him. The use of the word "sighes" is particularly evocative, suggesting a sense of longing and emotional pain.

The Final Lines: A Sense of Ambiguity

The final two lines of the poem introduce a note of ambiguity and uncertainty. The speaker declares that his "hope and love" are "both obscur'd and hid". This suggests that the speaker's feelings are not clear or straightforward, but are instead clouded by doubt and uncertainty.

The final line of the sonnet introduces a note of finality, as the speaker declares that he is "lost in these affaires". This line suggests that the speaker's pursuit of love has consumed him, leaving him uncertain and adrift. The use of the word "affaires" is particularly significant, as it suggests a sense of complexity and intrigue.

Conclusion

Sonnet 8 by John Berryman is a powerful and evocative exploration of the complexities of love and longing. Through intricate wordplay and vivid imagery, Berryman paints a portrait of a man consumed by his desire for a woman who is just out of reach. The sonnet's central metaphor of the lover as a ship battling the tides of the sea highlights the difficulty and uncertainty of the speaker's pursuit of love, while the use of ambiguity throughout the poem suggests that the speaker's feelings are not clear or straightforward. Ultimately, Sonnet 8 is a masterful expression of the tangled emotions that come with the pursuit of love, and it is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 8 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "Why do we make love?" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately draws the reader in. The question is a universal one that has been asked by many people throughout history. It is a question that has no easy answer, and Berryman uses the rest of the poem to explore this question in depth.

The second line of the poem reads, "Why do we not make love?" This line is just as important as the first, as it highlights the fact that there are times when we choose not to make love. This line also suggests that there may be reasons why we choose not to make love, and that these reasons may be just as important as the reasons why we do make love.

The third and fourth lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love with one person / and not another?" These lines delve deeper into the question of why we make love. They suggest that there may be something special about the person we choose to make love with, and that this person may be different from others we have been with in the past. These lines also suggest that there may be a deeper connection between two people who make love, and that this connection may be what draws them together.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love at all / when it leads to such pain?" These lines are particularly poignant, as they highlight the fact that making love can be a painful experience. They suggest that there may be a price to pay for the pleasure that comes with making love, and that this price may be too high for some people. These lines also suggest that there may be a certain amount of risk involved in making love, and that this risk may be what makes it so exciting.

The seventh and eighth lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love when it is so hard / to find someone to love?" These lines suggest that finding someone to love can be a difficult and challenging experience. They also suggest that making love may be a way of expressing love, and that this expression may be what makes it so important.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love when it is so easy / to lose the one we love?" These lines suggest that making love may be a way of holding onto the person we love. They also suggest that losing the person we love can be a painful experience, and that making love may be a way of avoiding this pain.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love when it is so hard / to keep the love we make?" These lines suggest that making love may be a way of trying to hold onto the love we have. They also suggest that keeping the love we have can be a difficult and challenging experience, and that making love may be a way of strengthening this love.

The final two lines of the poem read, "Why do we make love when it is so easy / to break the heart we make?" These lines suggest that making love may be a way of taking a risk. They also suggest that this risk may be what makes making love so exciting, and that breaking the heart we make may be a price we are willing to pay for this excitement.

In conclusion, Sonnet 8 by John Berryman is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the question of why we make love. It is a poem that asks difficult questions and does not provide easy answers. It is a poem that challenges us to think deeply about the nature of love and the risks and rewards that come with it. It is a poem that reminds us that making love is not always easy, but that it is always worth it.

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