'Sonnet On Approaching Italy' by Oscar Wilde


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I REACHED the Alps: the soul within me burned
Italia, my Italia, at thy name:
And when from out the mountain's heart I came
And saw the land for which my life had yearned,
I laughed as one who some great prize had earned:
And musing on the story of thy fame
I watched the day, till marked with wounds of flame
The turquoise sky to burnished gold was turned,
The pine-trees waved as waves a woman's hair,
And in the orchards every twining spray10
Was breaking into flakes of blossoming foam:
But when I knew that far away at Rome
In evil bonds a second Peter lay,
I wept to see the land so very fair.

TURIN.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet On Approaching Italy: A Critical Analysis

As the title suggests, "Sonnet On Approaching Italy" is a poem dedicated to the beauty and allure of Italy. Written by the famous Irish writer, Oscar Wilde, this sonnet captures the essence of Italy's enchantment and the romanticism that the country evokes in its visitors. In this critical analysis, we will explore the various themes, imagery, and literary devices employed by Wilde to convey the essence of Italy and the emotions it evokes.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself.

Oh, were I now in that soft clime
Where the Ionian breezes play,
And a Greek girl, with love sublime,
Teaches me in her own sweet way
To dance the dance of Ionia,
And to hear the lute's soft sound,
Then, then I would have, from all time,
One dream kept sacred and sublime.

For oft when on my distant way,
In the cold, grey dawn of the north,
I have seen a fair, sweet day,
On the distant waters come forth,
And my heart, that was weary and chill,
Has been filled with a passionate thrill,
And my soul has said, "Italy!
Land of Love and Poesy!"

And now, as on thy shores I stand,
And see the fair, sweet day arise,
And feel the soft wind's perfumed hand
Kiss my cheek and close mine eyes,
I know that, as from thee I go,
My heart will throb with a deeper woe,
And my soul will say with a deeper sigh,
"Italy! lovely land, good-bye!"

Themes

One of the central themes of the poem is the beauty and allure of Italy. Wilde uses vivid imagery and language to depict Italy as a land of love and poesy, evoking a sense of romanticism and enchantment. The poem also touches on the theme of longing and desire, as the speaker expresses his desire to be in Italy and learn the dance of Ionia from a Greek girl. The theme of nostalgia is also evident in the poem, as the speaker reminisces about the fair, sweet day he saw on the waters in the north, and expresses his sadness at having to leave Italy.

Imagery

Wilde employs rich and vivid imagery throughout the poem to convey the essence of Italy and the emotions it evokes. The use of the phrase "soft clime" in the first line evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, while the mention of the Ionian breezes and the lute's soft sound conjures up images of a serene and peaceful environment. The mention of the Greek girl teaching the speaker to dance the dance of Ionia adds to the imagery of beauty and grace.

The second stanza of the poem features some of the most powerful imagery, as the speaker describes the fair, sweet day he saw on the distant waters in the north. The imagery of the cold, grey dawn of the north juxtaposed with the fair, sweet day creates a sense of contrast that highlights the beauty of Italy. The mention of the passionate thrill that filled the speaker's heart and the use of the phrase "Land of Love and Poesy" further emphasize the romanticism and allure of Italy.

The third stanza features imagery of the speaker standing on the shores of Italy, with the fair, sweet day arising and the soft wind's perfumed hand kissing his cheek. The use of the phrase "perfumed hand" adds to the sensory imagery, creating a sense of the beauty and enchantment of Italy.

Literary Devices

Wilde employs several literary devices throughout the poem to enhance the imagery and convey the emotions of the speaker. One of the most notable devices used is alliteration, as seen in the phrase "I have seen a fair, sweet day" and "And feel the soft wind's perfumed hand". The repetition of the "s" and "f" sounds creates a sense of softness and gentleness that adds to the sensory imagery.

Another literary device used is personification, as seen in the phrase "And feel the soft wind's perfumed hand kiss my cheek and close mine eyes". The personification of the wind as having a perfumed hand adds to the sensory imagery and creates a sense of enchantment and beauty.

The poem also features the use of enjambment, as seen in the lines "Then, then I would have, from all time, / One dream kept sacred and sublime". The enjambment creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, adding to the flow of the poem.

Interpretation

"Sonnet On Approaching Italy" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Italy and the emotions it evokes. The poem can be interpreted as a tribute to the beauty and allure of Italy, with Wilde using vivid imagery and language to convey the romanticism and enchantment of the country. The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of the speaker's longing and desire to be in Italy, as he expresses his sadness at having to leave and his desire to learn the dance of Ionia from a Greek girl.

Overall, "Sonnet On Approaching Italy" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Wilde's talent for evocative imagery and powerful emotions. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring charm and beauty of Italy and the emotions it evokes in its visitors.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

As a lover of poetry, I have always been fascinated by the works of Oscar Wilde. His ability to capture the essence of a moment and convey it in a few lines is truly remarkable. One of his most famous works is the sonnet "On Approaching Italy," which is a beautiful ode to the country that has inspired so many artists and poets throughout history.

The sonnet begins with the speaker describing the moment when he first catches sight of Italy. He says, "I reached the Alps: the soul within me burned, / Italia, my Italia, at thy name." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker's passion for Italy is immediately apparent. He goes on to describe the beauty of the landscape, saying that "The trees and mountains on thy beauty fed, / The stars and ocean mocked the sun's desire."

What I find particularly interesting about this poem is the way in which Wilde uses language to convey his emotions. He employs a number of poetic devices, such as alliteration and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, in the second line of the poem, he uses the repetition of the word "Italia" to emphasize the speaker's love for the country. Similarly, in the third line, he uses alliteration to create a sense of movement and energy: "And on thy glancing chariots gleamed the fire."

As the poem progresses, the speaker's passion for Italy becomes even more intense. He describes the country as a place of "beauty, wonder, and delight," and says that "All art is useless, and all nature vain." This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker believes that the only true beauty in the world is to be found in Italy. This is a bold claim, but one that is supported by the vivid imagery and passionate language that Wilde employs throughout the poem.

One of the things that I love about this poem is the way in which it captures the essence of Italy. Wilde's descriptions of the landscape and the people are so vivid that you can almost feel yourself transported to the country. For example, in the seventh line, he describes the "dark-eyed daughter of the south" who "With her harmonious voice and dazzling eyes, / Bound all thy beauty in a golden chain." This image of a beautiful Italian woman singing is so evocative that it is easy to imagine oneself sitting in a piazza, listening to her voice.

Another aspect of the poem that I find fascinating is the way in which it reflects Wilde's own experiences. Wilde was a well-traveled man, and he spent a great deal of time in Italy during his life. It is clear from the poem that he had a deep love for the country, and that he was inspired by its beauty and culture. This personal connection to the subject matter gives the poem an added depth and richness that is not always present in other works of poetry.

In conclusion, "On Approaching Italy" is a beautiful and passionate ode to one of the most beloved countries in the world. Wilde's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he captures the essence of Italy in a way that is both vivid and evocative. As a lover of poetry, I find this sonnet to be a true masterpiece, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the beauty of language and the power of art.

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