'Sonnet VII' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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The strong man's hand, the snow-cool head of age,
The certain-footed sympathies of youth -
These, and that lofty passion after truth,
Hunger unsatisfied in priest or sage
Or the great men of former years, he needs
That not unworthily would dare to sing
(Hard task!) black care's inevitable ring
Settling with years upon the heart that feeds
Incessantly on glory.Year by year
The narrowing toil grows closer round his feet;
With disenchanting touch rude-handed time
The unlovely web discloses, and strange fear
Leads him at last to eld's inclement seat,
The bitter north of life - a frozen clime.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Intense Passion in Stevenson's Sonnet VII

When we think of Robert Louis Stevenson, we often conjure up images of adventure, pirates, and treasure hunts. Yet, the Scottish author was also a skilled poet, and his sonnets are a testament to his profound understanding of human emotion. In this literary criticism, I will analyze Stevenson's Sonnet VII and the intense passion contained within its 14 lines.

A Brief Overview

Sonnet VII is part of a larger sequence by Stevenson called "Aes Triplex," which translates to "Triple Brass." The three brasses in question refer to the three virtues of courage, faith, and endurance. Sonnet VII falls under the "Courage" section and is addressed to a lover.

The poem is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.

Analysis and Interpretation

From the very first line, Stevenson sets the tone for the poem:

The strong man's hand, the snow-cool head of age,

We are presented with two contrasting images - strength and coolness - that immediately grab our attention. The "strong man's hand" suggests power, while the "snow-cool head of age" implies wisdom and calmness. The use of "age" also hints at the speaker's own mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

The second line is equally striking:

The certain-footed sympathies of youth -

The use of "certain-footed" evokes an image of sureness and confidence. The "sympathies of youth" refers to the speaker's own feelings of passion and excitement, which he believes are only possible in youth.

The juxtaposition of youth and age sets up a recurring theme throughout the poem - the conflict between passion and reason. The speaker acknowledges that his passion is fleeting and will eventually give way to reason and wisdom:

The passional joy may soon enough be dead,

And level with the flame the ashes lie;

Here, the speaker accepts the transience of his emotions. The phrase "level with the flame" suggests that passion and reason are two sides of the same coin - one cannot exist without the other. The use of "ashes" also implies that passion, like fire, burns bright but ultimately dies out.

Despite this realization, the speaker is still consumed by his passion:

But the large heart, the high soul, brave and bright,

The spirit dauntless in the face of fate,

That's what I prize, that's what I hold in sight,

And nothing else is precious, or estate.

The repetition of "that's what" emphasizes the speaker's single-minded focus on passion and bravery. He values these qualities above all else, even material possessions ("nothing else is precious, or estate").

The concluding couplet reinforces this idea:

The strong man's hand, the cunning of the sage,

And softness none, but only courage sage.

The "strong man's hand" and the "cunning of the sage" represent reason and wisdom, but the speaker makes it clear that he values "only courage sage." The use of "sage" suggests a combination of wisdom and bravery, which the speaker sees as the pinnacle of human excellence.

The Power of Emotion

Stevenson's Sonnet VII is a powerful exploration of human emotion and the conflict between passion and reason. The speaker's passion is intense and all-consuming, which makes it all the more tragic when he acknowledges its transience. However, he argues that passion and bravery are essential to a fulfilling life and should be valued above all else.

The poem raises important questions about the nature of emotion and its place in our lives. Is it better to live passionately and risk being consumed by emotion, or to live a more measured life and avoid the pain of loss? Is there a balance between passion and reason that we should strive for, or is one inherently superior to the other?

These are difficult questions with no easy answers, but Stevenson's Sonnet VII offers a compelling argument for the power of emotion and the importance of living courageously. As the speaker himself puts it:

The strong man's hand, the cunning of the sage,

And softness none, but only courage sage.

Indeed, it is the "courage sage" that allows us to fully embrace life and all the joys and sorrows that come with it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet VII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of the poet’s love for his beloved, and it is a testament to the power of love and the beauty of nature. In this article, we will take a closer look at this sonnet and explore its themes, structure, and language.

Themes

The central theme of Sonnet VII is love. The poet expresses his love for his beloved in a beautiful and romantic way. He compares his love to the beauty of nature, and he uses nature as a metaphor for his feelings. The poet also explores the theme of time and how it affects love. He acknowledges that time is fleeting and that love can be lost, but he also suggests that love can be eternal and that it can survive the passage of time.

Structure

Sonnet VII is a traditional sonnet, which means that it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The first two quatrains describe the beauty of nature and the poet’s love for his beloved. The third quatrain acknowledges the passage of time and the potential loss of love. The final couplet offers a solution to this problem by suggesting that love can be eternal.

Language

The language of Sonnet VII is poetic and romantic. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of nature and the intensity of his love. He uses metaphors to compare his love to the beauty of nature, and he uses personification to give nature human qualities. For example, in the first quatrain, the poet describes the “purple glow” of the sky and the “golden fire” of the sun. These descriptions create a sense of warmth and beauty that is associated with love.

In the second quatrain, the poet uses the metaphor of a “rose” to describe his beloved. He compares her to a rose that is “sweet and fair” and that “blooms but for an hour.” This metaphor suggests that the poet’s love for his beloved is intense and fleeting, like the beauty of a rose.

In the third quatrain, the poet acknowledges the passage of time and the potential loss of love. He describes how “the days are evil” and how “love grows cold.” This language creates a sense of sadness and loss that is associated with the passage of time.

In the final couplet, the poet offers a solution to this problem by suggesting that love can be eternal. He writes, “But love is not with time’s brief hours beguiled, / Though beauty perish, Love may not expire.” This language suggests that love can survive the passage of time and that it can be eternal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet VII is a beautiful expression of love and the beauty of nature. The sonnet is structured in a traditional way, with a specific rhyme scheme and a clear progression of themes. The language of the sonnet is poetic and romantic, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. Overall, Sonnet VII is a classic piece of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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