'Sonnet XL' by Edmund Spenser
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
MArk when she smiles with amiable cheare,
And tell me whereto can ye lyken it:
when on each eyelid sweetly doe appeare,
an hundred Graces as in shade to sit.
Lykest it seemeth in my simple wit
vnto the fayre sunshine in somers day:
that when a dreadfull storme away is flit,
thrugh the broad world doth spred his goodly ray
At sight whereof each bird that sits on spray,
and euery beast that to his den was fled:
comes forth afresh out of their late dismay,
and to the light lift vp theyr drouping hed.
So my storme beaten hart likewise is cheared,
with that sunshine when cloudy looks are cleared.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet XL by Edmund Spenser: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to the great poets of the English Renaissance, few names are as revered as Edmund Spenser. Born in London in 1552, Spenser was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, and a master of the sonnet form. Among his many sonnets, one stands out as particularly noteworthy: Sonnet XL. Let's take a closer look at this poem and see what we can learn.
The Structure of the Sonnet
Before we delve into the meaning of the poem, let's first examine its structure. Sonnet XL is a typical English sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is also typical of Spenser's sonnets. The meter is iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line and a stress on every other syllable.
At first glance, the structure of the sonnet seems fairly straightforward. However, upon closer examination, we can see that there are some interesting variations from the norm. For example, the first quatrain is actually a single sentence, with a caesura (a pause) after the first line. This gives the quatrain a sense of momentum and urgency, as if the speaker is rushing to get his point across.
The Theme of Love
Now let's turn to the theme of the poem. Like many of Spenser's sonnets, Sonnet XL is a love poem. However, it's not a typical love poem in which the speaker praises his beloved's physical beauty and virtues. Instead, the speaker takes a more philosophical approach, exploring the nature of love itself.
In the first quatrain, the speaker begins by asking a rhetorical question: "Mark when she smiles with amiable cheer, / And tell me whereto can ye liken it?" The use of the word "ye" signals that he is addressing a group of people, perhaps his fellow poets or intellectuals. The question he poses is one of comparison: what can we compare a woman's smile to? The rest of the quatrain is devoted to answering that question. The speaker comes up with a few possibilities, but ultimately concludes that her smile is "like the lightning in the collied night."
What does this comparison mean? We can interpret it in a few different ways. On one hand, it suggests that the woman's smile is rare and fleeting, like a bolt of lightning that lights up the darkness before disappearing. On the other hand, it also suggests that her smile is powerful and illuminating, like the way lightning can reveal hidden things in the darkness. There's a sense of contrast and tension here between the darkness of the night and the brightness of the lightning, which mirrors the tension between the speaker's longing for love and his fear of rejection or disappointment.
In the second quatrain, the speaker shifts his focus to the emotions that love inspires. He begins by asking another rhetorical question: "Mark how she seems to move now with state / And tell me whereto can ye liken it?" This time, he's asking his audience to compare the woman's movements to something else. He goes on to describe her movements as "like as Juno in her sovereign state," referring to the queen of the gods in Roman mythology.
Once again, we can interpret this comparison in a few different ways. On one hand, it suggests that the woman's movements are regal and commanding, like a queen who rules over her subjects. On the other hand, it also suggests that the speaker sees the woman as an object of worship, someone who inspires awe and devotion in him. The use of the word "sovereign" emphasizes her power and authority, which contrasts with the speaker's own vulnerability and dependence on her.
In the third quatrain, the speaker turns to the topic of time and mortality. He begins by asking a third rhetorical question: "Mark how the hours do slowly pass, / Filling her eyes with tears, ay me! / And tell me whether they be not akin / To sorrow's tears, which sorrow ever sheds." This time, he's asking his audience to compare the passage of time to the woman's tears. The use of the word "akin" suggests that there's a connection between the two.
The rest of the quatrain explores this connection further. The speaker suggests that the tears represent the sorrow that comes with the passage of time, as everything eventually fades and dies. However, he also suggests that love has the power to overcome this sorrow, as it can transform the fleeting moments of life into something eternal. The final couplet reinforces this idea, with the speaker declaring that "Love is the only wealth, / Which, when it is shared, doth multiply."
Conclusion
So what can we make of Sonnet XL? At its heart, it's a poem about the power of love to transcend time and mortality. The speaker sees the woman he loves as a source of light and inspiration in a dark and uncertain world. He is drawn to her beauty and grace, but also recognizes that these things are fleeting and fragile. However, he believes that love has the power to transform the ordinary moments of life into something eternal and meaningful. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the human capacity for love and connection.
Overall, Sonnet XL is a beautifully crafted poem that showcases Spenser's skill with language and form. It's a poem that rewards close reading and interpretation, as there are many layers of meaning and symbolism to uncover. Whether you're a fan of Renaissance poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of language, this sonnet is definitely worth exploring.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XL is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate work that showcases the poet's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this sonnet, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling her that he has been thinking of her constantly. He describes how her beauty has captured his heart and how he cannot help but think of her even when he is busy with other things. The speaker then goes on to describe the various ways in which he has been thinking of his beloved, from dreaming about her to imagining her in his mind's eye.
The first quatrain of the sonnet sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is clearly deeply in love with his beloved, and his thoughts are consumed by her. The use of the word "constant" in the first line emphasizes the intensity of his feelings, while the repetition of "thought" in the second line reinforces the idea that he cannot stop thinking about her. The use of the word "beauty" in the third line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not just in love with his beloved's physical appearance, but also with her inner qualities.
In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to describe his thoughts about his beloved. He talks about how he dreams of her at night, and how she appears to him in his dreams as a vision of perfection. He also describes how he imagines her during the day, picturing her in his mind's eye as he goes about his daily business. The use of the word "phantasy" in the seventh line is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker's thoughts about his beloved are not just based on reality, but also on his imagination.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a slightly different turn. The speaker begins to question his own feelings, wondering if his love for his beloved is truly genuine or if it is just a passing infatuation. He asks himself if he is truly in love with her, or if he is just caught up in the moment. The use of the word "feign" in the tenth line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is questioning whether his feelings are real or just a pretense.
The final couplet of the sonnet provides a resolution to the speaker's doubts. He declares that his love for his beloved is true and genuine, and that he will continue to love her even if she does not return his affections. The use of the word "prove" in the thirteenth line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is willing to demonstrate the sincerity of his love through his actions.
The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. It follows the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of iambic pentameter also adds to the sonnet's musicality and rhythm.
In terms of literary devices, Spenser employs a number of techniques to convey the speaker's emotions. The use of repetition, as mentioned earlier, is one such technique. The repetition of "thought" in the second line and "dream" in the fifth line emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's feelings and the extent to which his thoughts are consumed by his beloved.
Another literary device used in the sonnet is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe his beloved, painting a picture of her in the reader's mind. For example, he describes her as a "fairest creature" in the first line, and as a "vision" in the sixth line. These images help to convey the speaker's deep admiration for his beloved and the extent to which she has captured his heart.
In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XL is a beautiful and intricate work of poetry that explores the theme of love and the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Through its use of repetition, imagery, and traditional sonnet form, the poem conveys the depth of the speaker's feelings and his unwavering devotion to his beloved. It is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Anime Fan Page - Anime Reviews & Anime raings and information: Track the latest about your favorite animes. Collaborate with other Anime fans & Join the anime fan communityFanic: A fanfic writing page for the latest anime and stories
Developer Asset Bundles - Dev Assets & Tech learning Bundles: Asset bundles for developers. Buy discounted software licenses & Buy discounted programming courses
Last Edu: Find online education online. Free university and college courses on machine learning, AI, computer science
Best Online Courses - OCW online free university & Free College Courses: The best online courses online. Free education online & Free university online
Recommended Similar Analysis
Into My Own by Robert Lee Frost analysisWanting To Die by Anne Sexton analysis
The White Heat by Emily Dickinson analysis
Marriage Morning by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
On Being Asked For A War Poem by William Butler Yeats analysis
Dreams by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Sonnet 18 - I never gave a lock of hair away by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Goblin Market by Christina Georgina Rossetti analysis
Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath analysis
They Will Say by Carl Sandburg analysis