'Sonnet LVII' by Edmund Spenser
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SWeet warriour when shall I haue peace with you?
High time it is, this warre now ended were:
which I no lenger can endure to sue,
ne your incessant battry more to beare:
So weake my powres, so sore my wounds appeare,
that wonder is how I should liue a iot,
seeing my hart through launched euery where
with thousand arrowes, which your eies haue shot:
Yet shoot ye sharpely still, and spare me not,
but glory thinke to make these cruel stoures,
ye cruell one, what glory can be got,
in slaying him that would liue gladly yours?
Make peace therefore, and graunt me timely grace.
that al my wounds will heale in little space.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser’s Sonnet LVII: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Edmund Spenser, one of the most celebrated poets of the English Renaissance, crafted some of the most beautiful and moving sonnets in the English language. His Sonnet LVII, also known as “Being your slave, what should I do but tend,” is a masterpiece of love poetry that captures the essence of true love in its purest form. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this sonnet, explore its themes, analyze its structure and language, and offer my personal interpretation of its meaning.
The Structure of Sonnet LVII
Sonnet LVII follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, consisting of three quatrains and a final rhyming couplet, with the rhyme scheme abab bcbc cdcd ee. This structure allows Spenser to develop the central theme of the sonnet in a clear and concise manner, while also creating a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem.
The Themes of Sonnet LVII
The central theme of Sonnet LVII is love, specifically the speaker’s unconditional love for his beloved. The sonnet explores the nature of love, the power it holds, and the sacrifices it demands. The speaker presents himself as a slave to his beloved, willing to do anything to please her. He recognizes the futility of his love, but cannot help but love her all the same.
Another theme that runs throughout the sonnet is the theme of power. The speaker acknowledges that his beloved possesses power over him, and he is willing to submit to her every whim. He sees her as a goddess, with the power to control his every thought and action. This theme of power adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the power dynamics that exist in any relationship.
The Language of Sonnet LVII
The language of Sonnet LVII is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The sonnet opens with the line “Being your slave, what should I do but tend,” immediately setting the tone for the poem. The word “slave” connotes a sense of servitude and submission, while “tend” suggests a sense of duty and care. The juxtaposition of these two words creates a sense of tension, highlighting the complex nature of the speaker’s relationship with his beloved.
Throughout the sonnet, Spenser uses a variety of metaphors and images to convey the speaker’s feelings. For example, he describes his beloved’s eyes as “two suns in heaven shine,” emphasizing their brightness and radiance. He also compares her to a goddess, saying that she “doth make my lark of pleasure soar,” suggesting that she has the power to lift his spirits and make him happy.
Interpretation of Sonnet LVII
To me, Sonnet LVII is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and power in relationships. The speaker presents himself as a devoted slave to his beloved, willing to do anything to please her. He recognizes the futility of his love, but cannot help but love her all the same. This speaks to the power of love, how it can overcome rational thought and logic, and how it can make us do things we never thought possible.
The theme of power dynamics also adds depth and complexity to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that his beloved possesses power over him, and he is willing to submit to her every whim. This highlights the fact that relationships are not always equal, and that power dynamics can play a significant role in shaping our interactions with others.
Overall, Sonnet LVII is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of true love in its purest form. Spenser’s use of language and imagery adds depth and meaning to the poem, while the structure of the sonnet allows him to develop the central theme in a clear and concise manner. It is a true masterpiece of love poetry that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LVII is a classic example of the beauty and complexity of Elizabethan poetry. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of sonnets called Amoretti, which was published in 1595. The Amoretti is a sequence of 89 sonnets that chronicle the poet's courtship of his beloved, Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet LVII is one of the most famous sonnets in the collection, and it is a perfect example of Spenser's mastery of the sonnet form.
The sonnet is written in the traditional Petrarchan form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents a problem or question, while the sestet provides a resolution or answer. In Sonnet LVII, the octave presents the speaker's dilemma, while the sestet provides the solution.
The octave begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling her that he is "weary of toil" and "fain to rest." He is tired of the constant struggle to win her love, and he longs for a moment of peace. However, he quickly realizes that his desire for rest is in conflict with his love for her. He says that his "heart's desire" is to be with her, but his "weary limbs" long for rest. This conflict between desire and physical exhaustion is a common theme in Spenser's poetry.
The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of his beloved. He says that she is "fairer than the evening air" and that her "voice more sweet than the sound of an instrument." He compares her to the goddess Venus, who was the goddess of love and beauty in Roman mythology. This comparison is significant because it shows the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. He sees her as a goddess, and he is willing to do anything to win her love.
The sestet provides the solution to the speaker's dilemma. He says that he will "rest in love" and that his "weary limbs" will find rest in the arms of his beloved. He realizes that his love for her is stronger than his physical exhaustion, and he is willing to sacrifice his rest for her. He says that he will "sleep in peace" knowing that he is loved by her.
The final couplet of the sonnet provides a powerful conclusion to the poem. The speaker says that his love for his beloved is so strong that it has the power to "revive dead things" and "make the withered tree to bloom again." This metaphorical language shows the transformative power of love. Love has the power to bring life to dead things and to make things beautiful again. The speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that it has the power to transform the world around him.
Overall, Sonnet LVII is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and sacrifice. The conflict between the speaker's desire for rest and his love for his beloved is a common theme in Spenser's poetry. The comparison of the beloved to the goddess Venus shows the depth of the speaker's love, while the final couplet provides a powerful conclusion to the poem. Spenser's mastery of the sonnet form is evident in this poem, and it is a perfect example of the beauty and complexity of Elizabethan poetry.
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