'I Abide and Abide and Better Abide' by Sir Thomas Wyatt


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I abide and abide and better abide,
And after the old proverb, the happy day;
And ever my lady to me doth say,
"Let me alone and I will provide."
I abide and abide and tarry the tide,
And with abiding speed well ye may.
Thus do I abide I wot alway,
Nother obtaining nor yet denied.
Ay me! this long abiding
Seemeth to me, as who sayeth,
A prolonging of a dying death,
Or a refusing of a desir'd thing.
Much were it better for to be plain
Than to say "abide" and yet shall not obtain.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sir Thomas Wyatt's "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide": An Analysis

As a literary critic, I find myself constantly drawn to the works of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the English poet who lived during the Renaissance period. Among his many contributions to the world of poetry, his poem "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" stands out as a masterpiece of language and emotion. In this analysis, I will delve into the depths of this poem, exploring its themes, its structure, and its impact on the world of literature.

Background

First, a brief biography of Sir Thomas Wyatt is in order. Born in 1503, Wyatt lived during a tumultuous time in English history, a time when the country was in the midst of the Reformation and the Tudor dynasty was in power. Wyatt was a member of the court of King Henry VIII, serving as a diplomat and courtier. He was also a poet, and is considered one of the pioneers of the English sonnet. Wyatt's poems were often autobiographical, and dealt with themes of love, loss, and betrayal.

The Poem

"I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" is a sonnet, written in the Petrarchan form. The poem is divided into two parts: the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the final six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet's rhyme scheme is CDDCEE. Here is the poem in its entirety:

I abide and abide and better abide, And after the old proverb, the happy day; And ever my lady to me doth say, "Let me alone and I will provide."

I abide and abide and tarry the tide, And with abiding speed well ye may; Thus do I abide I wot alway, Nother obtaining nor yet denied.

Ay me! this long abiding Seemeth to me, as who sayeth, In my reason, to long death's biding.

Adieu, my life, my lady, and my joy, In whom I hope, at the last to find Earthquaking joy, chance that doth much annoy.

Themes

The central theme of "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" is that of unrequited love. Wyatt expresses his longing for his lady, who seems to be indifferent to his affections. He speaks of "abiding" and "tarrying the tide," suggesting that he is waiting for something to happen, for his lady to finally give him the love he desires. However, he is neither "obtaining nor denied," suggesting that he is stuck in a kind of limbo, unable to move forward in his relationship with his lady.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is that of mortality. Wyatt speaks of his "reason" telling him that his "long abiding" is like "death's biding." He seems to be saying that his unrequited love is slowly killing him, and that he feels like he is already dead. This theme of the inevitability of death is a common one in Renaissance literature, and is often tied to the idea of the fleeting nature of life and love.

Structure

The structure of "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet form. The octave presents a problem or a situation, while the sestet offers a resolution or a conclusion. In this case, the problem is Wyatt's unrequited love, while the resolution is his acceptance of his situation. Wyatt seems resigned to the fact that his lady will never return his affections, and he ends the poem with a sense of finality: "Adieu, my life, my lady, and my joy."

Interpretation

As a literary critic, I am always searching for deeper meanings and interpretations of the texts I study. In the case of "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide," I see it as a commentary on the nature of love and desire. Wyatt's speaker is consumed by his longing for his lady, but she seems indifferent to his affections. He is trapped in a cycle of waiting and hoping, unable to move forward or to let go of his desire. The poem is a reminder that love is not always reciprocated, and that sometimes we must accept our situations and move on.

The poem also speaks to the human condition of mortality. Wyatt's speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality, and seems to be suggesting that his unrequited love is slowly killing him. This theme of the inevitability of death is a common one in Renaissance literature, as writers struggled to come to terms with the fleeting nature of life and love.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" is a powerful exploration of the themes of love and mortality. Wyatt's use of the Petrarchan sonnet form allows him to present his situation clearly and concisely, while his language and imagery evoke a sense of longing and desperation. As a literary critic, I find this poem to be a masterful example of the power of language to express complex emotions and ideas.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sir Thomas Wyatt is a name that is synonymous with the Renaissance era of English literature. He was a poet, diplomat, and courtier who lived during the reign of King Henry VIII. Wyatt is known for his contribution to the development of English sonnets, and his works have been studied and admired for centuries. In this article, we will delve into two of his most famous poems, "I Abide and Abide and Better Abide" and "Abide and Abide and Better Abide."

"I Abide and Abide" is a sonnet that was written in the early 16th century. It is a love poem that expresses the speaker's devotion to his beloved. The poem begins with the speaker stating that he will "abide and abide" until his love is reciprocated. He then goes on to say that he will "better abide" if his love is not returned. The repetition of the phrase "abide and abide" emphasizes the speaker's unwavering commitment to his love.

The second quatrain of the poem describes the speaker's feelings of despair and hopelessness. He says that his love is "unseen, unknown" and that he is "worn out with thought." The use of the word "unknown" suggests that the speaker's love is unrequited, and he is struggling to come to terms with this fact. The phrase "worn out with thought" emphasizes the emotional toll that unrequited love can take on a person.

In the third quatrain, the speaker expresses his willingness to endure any hardship for the sake of his love. He says that he will "endure all things" and that his love is "more than any tongue can tell." The use of hyperbole in this quatrain emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's feelings.

The final couplet of the poem is a plea to the speaker's beloved. He asks her to "look on me well" and to "consider my pain." The use of the word "pain" suggests that the speaker's love is causing him emotional distress. The final line of the poem, "Pity me then, though ye disdain," is a plea for mercy and compassion from the speaker's beloved.

"Abide and Abide and Better Abide" is another sonnet that was written by Wyatt. This poem is also a love poem, but it takes a slightly different approach than "I Abide and Abide." The poem begins with the speaker stating that he will "abide and abide" until his love is reciprocated. However, in the second quatrain, the speaker acknowledges that his love may never be returned. He says that he will "better abide" if his love is not reciprocated.

The third quatrain of the poem describes the speaker's feelings of despair and hopelessness. He says that his love is "unseen, unknown" and that he is "worn out with thought." These lines are similar to those in "I Abide and Abide," and they emphasize the emotional toll that unrequited love can take on a person.

In the final couplet of the poem, the speaker expresses his willingness to endure any hardship for the sake of his love. He says that he will "endure all things" and that his love is "more than any tongue can tell." These lines are also similar to those in "I Abide and Abide," and they emphasize the intensity of the speaker's feelings.

Overall, both "I Abide and Abide" and "Abide and Abide and Better Abide" are powerful love poems that express the speaker's unwavering commitment to his beloved. The repetition of the phrase "abide and abide" in both poems emphasizes the speaker's determination to endure any hardship for the sake of his love. The use of hyperbole in both poems emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's feelings. The final couplets of both poems are pleas for mercy and compassion from the speaker's beloved.

In conclusion, Sir Thomas Wyatt was a master of the English sonnet, and his works have stood the test of time. "I Abide and Abide" and "Abide and Abide and Better Abide" are two of his most famous poems, and they continue to be studied and admired by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. These poems are a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit.

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