'My Lute Awake' by Sir Thomas Wyatt
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My lute awake! perform the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And end that I have now begun;
For when this song is sung and past,
My lute be still, for I have done.
As to be heard where ear is none,
As lead to grave in marble stone,
My song may pierce her heart as soon;
Should we then sigh or sing or moan?
No, no, my lute, for I have done.
The rocks do not so cruelly
Repulse the waves continually,
As she my suit and affection;
So that I am past remedy,
Whereby my lute and I have done.
Proud of the spoil that thou hast got
Of simple hearts thorough Love's shot,
By whom, unkind, thou hast them won,
Think not he hath his bow forgot,
Although my lute and I have done.
Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain
That makest but game on earnest pain.
Think not alone under the sun
Unquit to cause thy lovers plain,
Although my lute and I have done.
Perchance thee lie wethered and old
The winter nights that are so cold,
Plaining in vain unto the moon;
Thy wishes then dare not be told;
Care then who list, for I have done.
And then may chance thee to repent
The time that thou hast lost and spent
To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon;
Then shalt thou know beauty but lent,
And wish and want as I have done.
Now cease, my lute; this is the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And ended is that we begun.
Now is this song both sung and past:
My lute be still, for I have done.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Lute Awake by Sir Thomas Wyatt: A Masterpiece of Elizabethan Literature
My Lute Awake is a sonnet written by Sir Thomas Wyatt, one of the most prominent poets of the Elizabethan era. The poem was composed in the 16th century and is considered a classic in English literature. With its powerful language and vivid imagery, My Lute Awake has captured the hearts of countless readers over the centuries. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices employed by the poet, and analyze the poem's impact on Elizabethan literature.
Summary of My Lute Awake
My Lute Awake is a sonnet that explores the theme of love and the power of music. The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lute, asking it to awaken from its slumber and play a tune that will inspire love. The speaker then goes on to describe the emotions that his lute can evoke, from joy and laughter to sorrow and tears. He compares the lute to a lover, saying that its music can bring comfort and solace to the heartbroken. In the final two lines, the speaker declares that his lute is his only true friend, and that he will never abandon it.
Themes in My Lute Awake
My Lute Awake explores several themes that were popular in Elizabethan literature. The most prominent of these themes is the power of music to evoke emotion and inspire love. The speaker describes how his lute can bring joy, laughter, and tears, and how its music can comfort those who are heartbroken. The poem also explores the theme of friendship, with the speaker declaring his lute to be his only true friend. Finally, the poem touches on the theme of love, with the speaker asking his lute to play a tune that will inspire love in his heart.
Symbols in My Lute Awake
My Lute Awake employs several symbols that are common in Elizabethan literature. The most obvious of these symbols is the lute itself, which represents the power of music to evoke emotion and inspire love. The speaker addresses the lute as if it were a living thing, and the music it produces is described in almost mystical terms. The lute also represents the speaker's own emotions, with the music it produces mirroring the joy, sorrow, and love that he feels.
Another symbol in the poem is the moon, which is described as "fair Phoebe." The moon is a common symbol in Elizabethan poetry, representing beauty, purity, and feminine energy. In My Lute Awake, the moon represents the object of the speaker's love, and the music of the lute is meant to inspire love in her heart.
Finally, the poem employs the symbol of the nightingale, which is a common symbol of love and beauty. The nightingale's song is said to be the most beautiful sound in nature, and its music is often associated with the idea of true love. In My Lute Awake, the nightingale represents the ideal of love and beauty that the speaker is striving for.
Literary Devices in My Lute Awake
My Lute Awake employs several literary devices that are typical of Elizabethan poetry. One of the most prominent of these devices is alliteration, which is used throughout the poem to create a musical effect. For example, in the first line, the speaker addresses his lute as "my music," which creates a pleasing alliteration of the "m" sound. Similarly, in the second line, the speaker says "Sweet art," which creates an alliteration of the "s" sound.
The poem also employs imagery to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, the speaker describes the lute as "a friend that comforteth, and doth solace bring." This creates a clear image of the lute as a companion that can offer comfort to those who are feeling sad or alone. Similarly, the image of the moon as "fair Phoebe" creates a vivid picture of the beauty and purity of the moon.
Finally, the poem employs repetition to emphasize certain points. For example, the phrase "My lute awake" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and emphasis. The repetition of the phrase "my heart" also emphasizes the speaker's emotional attachment to his lute.
Impact of My Lute Awake on Elizabethan Literature
My Lute Awake is considered a classic of Elizabethan literature, and its impact on the period's poetry cannot be overstated. The poem's exploration of the power of music to evoke emotion and inspire love was a common theme in the literature of the time, and My Lute Awake is one of the most powerful examples of this theme. The poem's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and literary devices was also influential in the development of the period's poetry.
In conclusion, My Lute Awake is a masterpiece of Elizabethan literature. Its exploration of the themes of love, friendship, and the power of music is both powerful and timeless, and its use of symbols, imagery, and literary devices is masterful. Sir Thomas Wyatt's poem continues to be read and admired by readers and scholars alike, and its impact on Elizabethan literature is undeniable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Lute Awake: A Masterpiece of Renaissance Poetry
Sir Thomas Wyatt, the renowned English poet of the 16th century, is known for his contribution to the development of English sonnet. His works are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and emotional depth. Among his many poems, "My Lute Awake" stands out as a masterpiece of Renaissance poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "My Lute Awake" is a love poem addressed to a lute, a musical instrument popular in the Renaissance era. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and his lute. The speaker urges the lute to wake up and sing, to express the emotions that he cannot put into words. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem. The speaker addresses his lute, urging it to wake up and sing. He compares the lute to a bird that has been silent for too long. The speaker is frustrated that he cannot express his emotions in words, and he turns to his lute as a means of communication. He says, "My lute awake, perform the last / Labour that thou and I shall waste." The word "waste" here means to spend or use up, implying that the speaker and his lute have limited time together. The speaker wants to make the most of their time together by creating something beautiful.
The second stanza is more emotional and personal. The speaker reveals that he is in love with someone who does not love him back. He says, "The rockes do not so cruelly / Repulse the waves continually / As she my sute and affection." The metaphor of the rocks and waves suggests that the speaker's love is persistent, but it is constantly rejected by the object of his affection. The speaker turns to his lute to express his emotions, saying, "But if thou wilt, refuse me still, / For who shall blame thy plaine-song skill?" The speaker acknowledges that his love may never be reciprocated, but he finds solace in the fact that his lute can still sing his emotions.
The third stanza is the most hopeful and optimistic. The speaker urges his lute to sing a song of hope and love, saying, "Then let us not wast time all night, / Till that the morowe springeth bright, / Let's sing and daunce our fill." The speaker wants to make the most of their time together and create something beautiful. He believes that music can heal his broken heart and bring him joy. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker says, "And when we have done, we'll pause and sit, / And silence keep with falling wit." The word "wit" here means tears, suggesting that the speaker's emotions are so strong that he may cry after the song is over.
The poem "My Lute Awake" is a masterpiece of Renaissance poetry, characterized by its simplicity, elegance, and emotional depth. The poem explores themes of love, rejection, and the power of music to express emotions that cannot be put into words. The structure of the poem is simple, with three stanzas of equal length. The use of the lute as a metaphor for the speaker's emotions is particularly effective, as it allows the speaker to express his emotions in a way that is both personal and universal.
The poem also employs a number of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. The metaphor of the lute as a bird that has been silent for too long is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of urgency and longing. The personification of the lute as a living being that can sing and express emotions is also effective, as it allows the speaker to create a sense of intimacy with his instrument. The use of alliteration, particularly in the second stanza, creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is appropriate for a poem about music.
In conclusion, "My Lute Awake" is a masterpiece of Renaissance poetry that explores themes of love, rejection, and the power of music to express emotions. The poem is characterized by its simplicity, elegance, and emotional depth, and it employs a number of literary devices to create a sense of intimacy and musicality. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and music to express the deepest emotions of the human heart.
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