'Sonnet (1928)' by Elizabeth Bishop


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1928I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling finger-tips,
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips,
With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow.
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low,
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead,
A song to fall like water on my head,
And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow!There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exploring the Depths of Elizabeth Bishop's "Sonnet"

As a piece of literature, a poem has the power to draw us in, to transport us to another time or place, to make us feel and think deeply. Elizabeth Bishop's "Sonnet" is no exception. In this classic poem, Bishop explores the complex emotions of love and loss, capturing the essence of human experience in a mere fourteen lines.

Form and Structure

Before delving into the content of the poem, it's important to take a closer look at its form and structure. "Sonnet" is, as the title suggests, a sonnet. Specifically, it is a Petrarchan sonnet, meaning that it consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave establishes a problem or situation, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion.

In terms of rhyme scheme, "Sonnet" follows the traditional Petrarchan scheme of ABBAABBA in the octave and CDCDCD in the sestet. This strict form and rhyme scheme can be seen as a nod to the tradition of sonnet-writing, but it also serves to create a sense of tension and resolution within the poem itself.

Content and Themes

Now that we've established the technical aspects of the poem, let's turn our attention to its content. On the surface, "Sonnet" is a love poem, but as with many of Bishop's works, there is much more going on beneath the surface.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover, telling him that "I am in need of music that would flow / Over my fretful, feeling fingertips." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem - the speaker is in a state of emotional turmoil, and she is seeking solace through music.

As the poem continues, we learn that the speaker is mourning the loss of her lover. She describes how "even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course / Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot / Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer's horse / Scratches its innocent behind on a tree." Here, Bishop uses vivid, almost brutal imagery to convey the speaker's sense of despair.

The speaker then turns her attention to the natural world, describing how the "morning air is all awash with angels." This image of angels can be interpreted in many ways - perhaps the speaker sees her lost lover as an angel, or maybe she is using the image to represent a sense of hope and transcendence.

In the sestet, the speaker resolves to "find some hand held shade / And rest in that coolness, out of sun." This resolution can be seen as a metaphor for the speaker's journey through grief - she will find a way to cope with her loss and move on. However, there is still a sense of ambiguity in the poem's final lines: "And find the one tree bole where times contrive / Restitution, and the voice of dove." Here, the speaker seems to suggest that there is some hope for reconciliation with her lost lover, but it is not entirely clear whether this is a real possibility or simply a fantasy.

Interpretation and Analysis

So what can we make of Bishop's "Sonnet"? As with any great work of literature, there are many possible interpretations. One way to approach the poem is to read it as an exploration of grief and the process of mourning. The speaker is clearly in a state of emotional turmoil, and her search for music can be seen as a way of coping with her loss.

Another way to interpret the poem is to focus on its use of imagery. Bishop's vivid descriptions of the natural world - from the dogs scratching their behinds on trees to the morning air filled with angels - create a sense of depth and richness that draws the reader in.

Finally, it's worth considering the poem's form and structure. As mentioned earlier, the strict Petrarchan form and rhyme scheme create a sense of tension and resolution within the poem. The octave establishes a problem or situation, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion. This structure mirrors the speaker's journey through grief, from a state of emotional turmoil to a resolution and sense of calm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's "Sonnet" is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and grief. Through her use of vivid imagery and strict form, Bishop is able to convey the complex emotions of the speaker in a way that is both moving and thought-provoking. Whether you read the poem as a meditation on grief or a celebration of the natural world, there is no denying its status as a classic work of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry Sonnet” is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. The poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. It is a deeply personal and introspective work that explores the relationship between the poet and their art.

The poem is structured as a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that originated in Italy in the 13th century. The sonnet is a 14-line poem that is typically divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave usually presents a problem or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or answer. Bishop’s “Poetry Sonnet” follows this structure, with the first eight lines posing a question about the nature of poetry, and the final six lines offering a response.

The poem begins with the speaker asking, “Oh, why is the world so full of poets?” This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the abundance of poets in the world and what it means to be a poet. The question is rhetorical, as the speaker does not expect an answer. Instead, it serves to introduce the central theme of the poem: the relationship between poetry and the world.

The speaker goes on to describe the world as “so beautiful,” but also “so small.” This juxtaposition of beauty and smallness suggests that the world is both wondrous and limited. The speaker then asks, “Why then does the thin grey strand / Floating up from the forgotten / Cigarette between my fingers, / Why then does it trouble me?” This question is significant because it introduces the speaker’s personal connection to poetry. The “thin grey strand” represents the act of writing poetry, and the fact that it “troubles” the speaker suggests that writing poetry is not always easy or enjoyable.

The speaker then goes on to describe the act of writing poetry as a “strange and difficult art.” This description emphasizes the complexity of poetry and the skill required to write it. The speaker also notes that poetry is “not like a garden / Where the flowers are in order.” This comparison suggests that poetry is not something that can be easily controlled or organized, but rather something that is wild and unpredictable.

The final six lines of the poem offer a response to the question posed in the first eight lines. The speaker declares that poetry is “the expression / Of a soundless world / And of the uncertain / And the things that are beyond / The reach of our souls’ apprehension.” This statement suggests that poetry is a way of expressing the inexpressible, of capturing the ineffable aspects of the world that cannot be put into words. Poetry is a way of reaching beyond the limits of language and understanding.

The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful: “It is the cry of the soul / Breaking away from its prison.” This statement suggests that poetry is a way of breaking free from the constraints of the world and expressing the deepest parts of ourselves. It is a way of transcending the limitations of our physical existence and connecting with something greater.

Overall, Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry Sonnet” is a powerful reflection on the nature of poetry and the role of the poet in society. The poem explores the complexity of poetry and the skill required to write it, as well as the personal connection between the poet and their art. The final six lines of the poem offer a profound insight into the power of poetry to express the inexpressible and connect us with something greater than ourselves. It is a beautiful and deeply moving work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a poet.

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