'Sonnet XLVII' by Edmund Spenser
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TRust not the treason of those smyling lookes,
vntill ye haue theyr guylefull traynes well tryde:
for they are lyke but vnto golden hookes,
that from the foolish fish theyr bayts doe hyde:
So she with flattring smyles weake harts doth guyde,
vnto her loue and tempte to theyr decay,
whome being caught she kills with cruell pryde,
and feeds at pleasure on the wretched pray:
Yet euen whylst her bloody hands them slay,
her eyes looke louely and vpon them smyle:
that they take pleasure in her cruell play,
and dying doe them selues of payne beguyle.
O mighty charm which makes men loue theyr bane,
and thinck they dy with pleasure, liue with payne.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XLVII: A Masterclass in Romantic Poetry
When it comes to English poetry, few names command as much respect as Edmund Spenser. The author of the epic masterpiece "The Faerie Queene," Spenser was a towering figure of the Elizabethan era, and his influence on the development of English literature cannot be overstated. Among his many works, one of the most beloved is undoubtedly Sonnet XLVII, a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of romantic longing with breathtaking clarity.
At its core, Sonnet XLVII is a meditation on the speaker's love for his beloved, and the emotional turmoil that he experiences as a result. The sonnet opens with the speaker addressing his lover directly, declaring that "troubled with stormes of Fortune's windes" he finds himself "weary of [his] life's unrestful state." Here, Spenser sets the stage for the emotional journey that the speaker will undertake throughout the course of the poem. The stormy weather symbolizes the turbulence of the speaker's emotions, and the weariness he feels hints at the depth of his suffering.
As the sonnet progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of his love for his beloved. He describes her as a "faire beam," a radiant light that has the power to dispel the darkness of his troubled soul. He yearns for her presence, declaring that "sweet Presence, companion of my woes" is the only thing that can bring him comfort. This language is typical of Spenser's romantic style, which emphasizes the power of love to heal and transform even the most broken of hearts.
One of the most striking features of Sonnet XLVII is the way that Spenser uses vivid imagery to bring the speaker's emotions to life. For example, when the speaker describes himself as "wretched thrall," he is not merely expressing his unhappiness, but rather painting a vivid picture of himself as a slave to his own emotions. Similarly, when he describes his beloved as a "faire beam," he is not simply saying that she is beautiful, but rather conjuring an image of a radiant light that illuminates everything around it.
As the sonnet reaches its climax, the speaker's emotions reach a fever pitch. He declares that his love for his beloved is so strong that it has the power to transcend death itself. He imagines that even in the afterlife, his soul will continue to long for her, and that their love will endure forever. This is a powerful image, and one that perfectly captures the all-consuming nature of romantic love.
Overall, Sonnet XLVII is a masterclass in romantic poetry. Spenser's use of vivid imagery and emotional language creates a powerful sense of longing and desire, while his exploration of the nature of love and suffering speaks to the universal human experience. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, this sonnet is sure to leave a lasting impression. So why not take a few moments to read it for yourself, and discover the timeless beauty of Edmund Spenser's poetic vision?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XLVII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate work that explores themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the structure, language, and meaning of this sonnet, and explore why it has become such an enduring piece of literature.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he describes as "fair." This is a common theme in love poetry, as beauty is often seen as a defining characteristic of the beloved. However, Spenser takes this idea a step further by describing his beloved as "most fair." This superlative emphasizes the speaker's intense admiration for his beloved, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second line of the sonnet introduces the theme of time. The speaker notes that "the sunne hath twyse brought forth his tender greene," which suggests that some time has passed since the beginning of the relationship. This idea is reinforced in the third line, where the speaker notes that "her fayr fresh flowre is faded quite and gone." Here, the flower is a metaphor for the beloved's youth and beauty, which have begun to fade with the passage of time.
The fourth line of the sonnet introduces a new theme: the idea of memory. The speaker notes that "her store is wasted," which suggests that the beloved's beauty and youth are no longer as abundant as they once were. However, the speaker also notes that "nothing left remaines," which suggests that memories of the beloved's beauty still linger. This idea is reinforced in the fifth line, where the speaker notes that "but wastefull Time hath spent her living fire." Here, the fire is a metaphor for the beloved's passion and vitality, which have been diminished by the passage of time.
The sixth line of the sonnet introduces a new metaphor: the idea of a "shadow." The speaker notes that "then may I thinke how shaddowe of my love." Here, the shadow represents the memory of the beloved's beauty and youth, which still lingers even as the reality has faded. This idea is reinforced in the seventh line, where the speaker notes that "in vaine it is to thinke to over-goe." Here, the speaker acknowledges that he cannot recapture the past, but must instead content himself with memories of what once was.
The eighth line of the sonnet introduces a new theme: the idea of mortality. The speaker notes that "since she is gone, in vaine I twyne and mone." Here, the speaker acknowledges that his beloved is no longer with him, and that he must come to terms with her absence. This idea is reinforced in the ninth line, where the speaker notes that "in vaine doth Echo vaine assay to mone." Here, the speaker uses the metaphor of Echo to suggest that his own mourning is futile, as it cannot bring back what has been lost.
The final two lines of the sonnet bring the themes of love, memory, and mortality together. The speaker notes that "yet do I not all sorrowes over-sownd, / but hope some new fayre thing yet may bee found." Here, the speaker acknowledges that while his beloved may be gone, there is still hope for new love and new beauty in the future. This idea is reinforced in the final line of the sonnet, where the speaker notes that "thus I myne eyes close, lyke dying swanne." Here, the speaker uses the metaphor of a dying swan to suggest that he is ready to let go of the past and embrace the future.
Overall, Sonnet XLVII is a beautiful and complex work that explores themes of love, memory, and mortality. Through its use of metaphor and language, it captures the bittersweet nature of love and the passage of time. It is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet that this sonnet has remained relevant and powerful for over four hundred years, and it is sure to continue to inspire readers for centuries to come.
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