'Astrophel And Stella-First Song' by Sir Philip Sidney
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Doubt you to whom my Muse these notes intendeth,
Which now my breast o'ercharged to music lendeth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only in you my song begins and endeth.
Who hath the eyes which marry state with pleasure?
Who keeps the key of Nature's chiefest treasure?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only for you the heaven forgat all measure.
Who hath the lips where wit in fairness reigneth?
Who womankind at once both decks and staineth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only by you Cupid his crown maintaineth.
Who hath the feet whose step all sweetness planteth?
Who else, for whom Fame worthy trumpets wanteth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only to you her sceptre Venus granteth.
Who hath the breast whose milk doth passions nourish?
Whose grace is such that when it chides doth cherish?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only through you the tree of life doth flourish.
Who hath the hand which without stroke subdueth?
Who long-dead beauty with increase reneweth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only at you all envy hopeless rueth.
Who hath the hair which, loosest, fastest tieth?
Who makes a man live then glad when he dieth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only of you the flatterer never lieth.
Who hath the voice which soul from senses sunders?
Whose force but yours the bolts of beauty thunders?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only with you not miracles are wonders.
Doubt you to whom my Muse these notes intendeth,
Which now my breast o'ercharged to music lendeth?
To you, to you, all song of praise is due;
Only in you my song begins and endeth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Astrophel And Stella-First Song: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Astrophel and Stella-First Song is a classic sonnet written by Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century. The poem is part of a series of 108 sonnets and songs that were published posthumously as Astrophel and Stella. This literary piece is widely considered to be one of the most important works of English Renaissance literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, the style, the structure, and the literary devices used in Astrophel and Stella-First Song.
Theme
The main theme of Astrophel and Stella-First Song is unrequited love. The speaker, Astrophel, is deeply in love with a woman named Stella, but his love is not returned. The poem describes Astrophel's feelings of despair, frustration, and longing as he tries to win over Stella's heart. The theme of unrequited love is a common one in Renaissance literature, and Sidney explores it in a way that is both poignant and powerful.
Style
Sidney's style in Astrophel and Stella-First Song is highly poetic and lyrical. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABABABAB CDCDCD, which is known as the Spenserian rhyme scheme. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality and helps to create a sense of unity and coherence.
The language used in Astrophel and Stella-First Song is highly figurative and metaphorical. Sidney uses a variety of literary devices such as personification, alliteration, hyperbole, and imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, the line "With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies" (line 1) uses personification to give the Moon human qualities and create a sense of melancholy. The use of figurative language helps to create a rich and nuanced emotional landscape for the speaker's feelings.
Structure
Astrophel and Stella-First Song is structured as a sonnet with a volta, or turn, at line 9. The first eight lines present the speaker's sorrowful state, while the final six lines offer a resolution or conclusion. The volta in this sonnet is marked by the use of the word "But" at the beginning of line 9. This turn signals a shift in the speaker's perspective from despair to hope, as he resolves to continue loving Stella even though his love is not returned.
The structure of the sonnet also contributes to the musical quality of the poem. The use of iambic pentameter, which is a rhythmic pattern that consists of five iambs (a metrical foot consisting of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable), creates a steady and flowing rhythm that is pleasing to the ear. The sonnet form also allows Sidney to explore the theme of unrequited love in a compact and highly focused way.
Literary Devices
Sidney makes use of a variety of literary devices in Astrophel and Stella-First Song, many of which are typical of Renaissance poetry. One of the key literary devices used in the poem is imagery. Sidney uses vivid and detailed imagery to evoke the speaker's emotions and create a sense of atmosphere. For example, the line "The weary hunter, wandering in the woods" (line 2) uses imagery to create a sense of loneliness and isolation.
Another literary device used in the poem is alliteration. Sidney uses alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem and to draw attention to certain words and phrases. For example, the line "How far'st yow seekest weal, and dost not see" (line 8) uses alliteration to draw attention to the words "far'st," "seekest," and "weal."
Sidney also makes use of personification in the poem. He gives human qualities to the Moon and the hunter, which helps to create a sense of empathy and emotional depth. The use of personification also contributes to the overall musical quality of the poem.
Interpretation
Astrophel and Stella-First Song is a powerful and moving poem that explores the theme of unrequited love in a highly poetic and lyrical way. The speaker's emotions are vividly portrayed through the use of imagery, alliteration, and personification, creating a rich and nuanced emotional landscape. The structure of the sonnet, with its volta at line 9, allows Sidney to explore the theme of unrequited love in a compact and highly focused way.
The poem can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a lament for a love that is not returned, while others may see it as a celebration of the power of love, despite its pain and frustrations. The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the nature of love itself, and the ways in which it can both uplift and torment the human spirit.
Overall, Astrophel and Stella-First Song is a masterpiece of English Renaissance literature, and a testament to the enduring power of the sonnet form. Its themes of love, loss, and longing continue to resonate with readers today, making it a timeless work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Astrophel and Stella-First Song: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Sir Philip Sidney's Astrophel and Stella-First Song is a masterpiece of love poetry that has stood the test of time. Written in the late 16th century, this sonnet sequence is a collection of 108 sonnets and 11 songs that tell the story of Astrophel's unrequited love for Stella. The first song of the sequence is a perfect introduction to the themes and motifs that run throughout the entire work.
The poem begins with the speaker, Astrophel, addressing the night sky and asking it to be his witness as he pours out his heart to Stella. He describes the stars as "witnesses of my untruth" and asks them to "tell how unkindly thou hast dealt." This opening sets the tone for the entire sequence, as Astrophel is constantly seeking an audience for his love and his pain.
The poem then moves on to describe Stella's beauty, which is a recurring theme throughout the sequence. Astrophel describes her as "Nature's pride, Virtue's Queen" and "the perfectest herald of joy." He is clearly smitten with her, and his descriptions of her beauty are both passionate and poetic.
However, despite his love for Stella, Astrophel is plagued by doubt and insecurity. He worries that she does not return his love, and he is tormented by the thought that she may be with someone else. He describes himself as "a wretched captive thrall" and "a hopeless lover's smart." This sense of insecurity and vulnerability is a central theme of the sequence, and it is what makes Astrophel such a sympathetic character.
The poem then moves on to describe the physical and emotional pain that Astrophel feels as a result of his unrequited love. He describes his heart as "a furnace of distress" and his eyes as "two bleeding wounds." This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it captures the intensity of Astrophel's emotions.
Despite his pain, however, Astrophel remains hopeful. He believes that Stella will eventually come to love him, and he is willing to wait for her. He describes himself as "a lover true" and "a patient list'ner." This sense of hope and perseverance is another central theme of the sequence, and it is what makes Astrophel such a compelling character.
The poem ends with Astrophel asking the night sky to "tell how dearly I love her." This final line is both poignant and powerful, and it captures the essence of the entire sequence. Astrophel's love for Stella is intense and all-consuming, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to win her heart.
In conclusion, Astrophel and Stella-First Song is a masterpiece of love poetry that has stood the test of time. Sir Philip Sidney's use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, and his portrayal of Astrophel's unrequited love is both sympathetic and compelling. The themes of beauty, insecurity, pain, hope, and perseverance run throughout the entire sequence, and they make Astrophel and Stella a timeless work of literature. If you are a fan of poetry, then you owe it to yourself to read this classic work.
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