'Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa' by Oscar Wilde
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I WANDERED in Scoglietto's green retreat,
The oranges on each o'erhanging spray
Burned as bright lamps of gold to shame the day;
Some startled bird with fluttering wings and fleet
Made snow of all the blossoms, at my feet
Like silver moons the pale narcissi lay:
And the curved waves that streaked the sapphire bay
Laughed i' the sun, and life seemed very sweet.
Outside the young boy-priest passed singing clear,
"Jesus the Son of Mary has been slain,10
O come and fill his sepulchre with flowers."
Ah, God! Ah, God! those dear Hellenic hours
Had drowned all memory of Thy bitter pain,
The Cross, the Crown, the Soldiers, and the Spear.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa by Oscar Wilde: A Literary Analysis
Are you a lover of poetry? Do you appreciate the beauty and depth of words woven together to create a piece of art? If so, then Oscar Wilde's Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa is a must-read. This classic piece of literature is not only a masterpiece in its own right, but it also sheds light on Wilde's literary style and the era in which he lived.
Background
Before diving into the analysis of the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Wilde wrote this sonnet during Holy Week in 1877 while he was visiting Genoa, Italy. During this time, he was deeply affected by the religious processions and ceremonies that took place in the city. His experience inspired him to write this sonnet, which reflects his feelings about the religious significance of Holy Week.
The Form of the Sonnet
The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that employs a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Wilde's Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa follows the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) followed by a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBA ABBA, and the sestet follows either a CDCDCD or CDEEDE rhyme scheme.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line contains ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The use of iambic pentameter is often associated with Shakespearean sonnets and is commonly used in English literature.
The Theme of the Poem
The theme of Wilde's Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa revolves around the religious significance of Holy Week. The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene of the religious procession in Genoa. He observes the people's devotion and piety as they participate in the ceremony.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the meaning of Holy Week and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He compares the solemnity of the ceremony to the joy and celebration of Easter, which follows Holy Week. Through his words, Wilde emphasizes the importance of faith and devotion to God.
Literary Devices Used in the Poem
As with any great work of literature, Wilde employs various literary devices to enhance the meaning and impact of his words. Some of the devices used in Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa include:
Imagery
Wilde uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the religious procession in Genoa. He describes the "banners, cross, and canopy" that are carried in the procession and the "throngs of people" who follow. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize the scene and understand the speaker's experience.
Personification
Personification is used when the speaker describes the "sound of prayer and hymn" as "like a great ring of gold." The use of personification gives life to the sound and emphasizes its importance in the religious ceremony.
Metaphors and Similes
Wilde employs metaphors and similes to compare and contrast the solemnity of Holy Week with the joy of Easter. He describes Holy Week as a "sorrowful sea" and Easter as a "golden day." The use of metaphors and similes helps to convey the speaker's emotions and enhance the meaning of the poem.
Allusion
Allusion is used when the speaker references the "Passion of Christ." The use of allusion connects the poem to the Christian tradition and emphasizes the importance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Analysis of the Poem
Now that we have explored the background, form, theme, and literary devices of Wilde's Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa, it is time to take a closer look at the poem itself.
The Octave
The poem begins with the speaker describing the religious procession in Genoa. He observes the "throngs of people" who follow the procession and the "banners, cross, and canopy" that are carried. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize the scene and understand the speaker's experience.
The octave ends with the speaker reflecting on the significance of the procession. He notes that the people are "pale with prayer and abstinence" and that their "faces [are] lit with awe." These words emphasize the devotion and piety of the people and the importance of faith.
The Sestet
In the sestet, the speaker reflects on the meaning of Holy Week and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He compares the sorrowful nature of Holy Week to the joy and celebration of Easter. Wilde writes, "But when the last sad vigil's kept, and burst / The Easter sunlight on a joyful throng, / And maids in white on heaven's high ramparts sing, / 'Go, meet Him risen whom ye sought for long,' / I have a hope, yea, in my heart a faith / Divine and steadfast, that all ends in rest."
These lines convey a sense of hope and faith that all will be made right in the end. The use of metaphor and simile helps to contrast the solemnity of Holy Week with the joy and celebration of Easter.
The Language of the Poem
Wilde's use of language in Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa is both beautiful and powerful. He employs vivid imagery, personification, metaphors, and similes to convey his message. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic flow that enhances the beauty of the language.
Wilde's message emphasizes the importance of faith and devotion to God. He reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from the celebration of Easter. The poem is a beautiful reminder of the power of religion and the importance of faith in our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Oscar Wilde's Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa is a masterpiece of English literature. It employs the traditional Petrarchan sonnet form and uses various literary devices to convey its message. The poem reflects Wilde's experience of the religious ceremony in Genoa and emphasizes the importance of faith and devotion to God. The use of vivid imagery, personification, metaphors, and similes enhance the beauty and power of the language. This classic piece of literature is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the art of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Oscar Wilde's "Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of the Christian faith. The sonnet is a reflection on the events of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and the emotions that they evoke. Wilde's use of language and imagery is both powerful and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem and allowing them to experience the emotions of the speaker.
The sonnet is structured in the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets, with the first quatrain setting the scene and the second quatrain introducing the central theme of the poem. The first tercet explores the emotions of the speaker, while the final tercet offers a resolution and a call to action.
The poem begins with a description of the setting, with the speaker standing "in the fair city of the Genoese" on the eve of Holy Week. The city is described as "fair" and "holy," setting the tone for the poem and establishing the religious context. The speaker then describes the events of Holy Week, with "the passion of the Christ" being reenacted in the streets. The use of the word "passion" is significant, as it refers not only to the suffering of Christ but also to the intense emotions that the events of Holy Week evoke in the faithful.
In the second quatrain, the speaker reflects on the meaning of Holy Week and the sacrifice of Christ. The speaker describes Christ as "the Son of God" who "gave his life for love of me." This line is particularly powerful, as it emphasizes the personal nature of Christ's sacrifice and the idea that he died for each individual person. The speaker then goes on to describe the "crown of thorns" that Christ wore, emphasizing the physical suffering that he endured. The use of the word "crown" is significant, as it suggests that Christ's suffering was not only physical but also symbolic, representing his kingship and his ultimate victory over death.
The first tercet explores the emotions of the speaker in response to the events of Holy Week. The speaker describes feeling "a great love and a great pity" for Christ, emphasizing the emotional connection that the faithful feel to Christ and his suffering. The use of the word "pity" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not only moved by Christ's suffering but also feels a sense of compassion and empathy for him.
The final tercet offers a resolution and a call to action. The speaker acknowledges that Christ's sacrifice was not in vain, as it has the power to "redeem the world." The use of the word "redeem" is significant, as it suggests that Christ's sacrifice has the power to transform the world and to bring about salvation. The speaker then calls on the reader to "follow in his train," emphasizing the idea that Christ's sacrifice is not only a historical event but also a call to action for the faithful.
Overall, Wilde's "Sonnet Written In Holy Week At Genoa" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Christian faith. The poem is structured in the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of language and imagery is both powerful and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem and allowing them to experience the emotions of the speaker. The poem is a reflection on the events of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and the emotions that they evoke. The poem offers a resolution and a call to action, emphasizing the idea that Christ's sacrifice is not only a historical event but also a call to action for the faithful.
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