'Sonnet LXII' by Edmund Spenser


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THe weary yeare his race now hauing run,
The new begins his compast course anew:
with shew of morning mylde he hath begun,
betokening peace and plenty to ensew,
So let vs, which this chaunge of weather vew,
chaunge eeke our mynds and former liues amend
the old yeares sinnes forepast let vs eschew,
and fly the faults with which we did offend.
Then shall the new yeares ioy forth freshly send,
into the glooming world his gladsome ray:
and all these stormes which now his beauty blend,
shall turne to caulmes and tymely cleare away.
So likewise loue cheare you your heauy spright,
and chaunge old yeares annoy to new delight.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet LXII by Edmund Spenser: A Masterpiece of Elegance

As a literary creation, poetry is an art form that enables writers to express their emotions, ideas, and experiences through the use of language. One such poet is Edmund Spenser, who is renowned for his contribution to the English Renaissance literature. Among his greatest works is the Sonnet LXII, a masterpiece of elegance, style, and substance that has continued to captivate readers for centuries. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the poem’s structure, literary devices, themes, and meaning.

Structure

The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that is written in iambic pentameter. The Sonnet LXII is no exception, as it consists of fourteen lines that are divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The quatrains alternate between two rhyming sounds, while the final couplet features a rhyming couplet. The poem's structure is crucial, as it enables Spenser to convey his message in an organized manner, while also creating a sense of harmony and balance between the lines.

Literary Devices

Spenser employs various literary devices to enrich the poem's meaning and style. One such device is alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds in a line. In the first line, Spenser uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality as he writes, "The weary year his race now having run." The repetition of the “r” sound creates a sense of weariness, which is the theme of the poem.

Another device that Spenser uses is personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to inanimate objects. In the second quatrain, he personifies the seasons by describing them as "winged charetiers" who drive their "coloured wagons" across the sky. This imagery creates a sense of movement and beauty, while also highlighting the changing nature of time.

Spenser also uses metaphor in the poem. In the final couplet, he compares the passing of time to a thief who steals "beauty's treasure." This metaphor creates a sense of urgency and anxiety, while also highlighting the fleeting nature of life and beauty.

Themes

The Sonnet LXII explores several themes, including the inevitability of time, the transience of beauty, and the human experience of weariness. Spenser begins the poem by personifying time as a "weary" runner who has completed his race. This image highlights the inevitability of time and its relentless nature.

In the second quatrain, Spenser emphasizes the transience of beauty by describing the changing seasons. He notes that the "beauty of the world" is only temporary, and that the seasons will change, bringing a new kind of beauty. This theme of impermanence is reinforced in the final couplet, where Spenser compares the passing of time to a thief who steals beauty's treasure.

Finally, the theme of weariness is woven throughout the poem. Spenser notes that the "weary year" has completed its race, and that the "weary ploughman" has finished his work. This imagery creates a sense of exhaustion and restlessness that is synonymous with the human experience.

Meaning

The Sonnet LXII is a contemplation on the nature of time, beauty, and human existence. Spenser uses imagery, metaphor, and personification to create a sense of urgency and anxiety about the fleeting nature of life. The passing of time is depicted as an unstoppable force that steals beauty's treasure, leaving behind weariness and exhaustion.

The poem's meaning is relevant to contemporary readers, as the themes it addresses are timeless. In a fast-paced world where time is fleeting and beauty is often measured in superficial terms, the Sonnet LXII serves as a reminder to appreciate the fleeting moments of beauty and to cherish the experiences that make life worth living.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sonnet LXII by Edmund Spenser is a masterpiece of elegance and substance that continues to captivate readers to this day. The poem's structure, literary devices, themes, and meaning are all carefully crafted to create a sense of harmony and balance that elevates it to the level of art. As a literary creation, it serves as a reminder to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and to cherish the experiences that make it worth living.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a part of Spenser's famous collection of sonnets, Amoretti, which was published in 1595. The sonnet is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the themes of love, time, and mortality. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of Sonnet LXII.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, "The weary year his race now having run, / The new begins his compass course anew." The first line of the sonnet sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. The "weary year" has come to an end, and a new year has begun. The use of the word "weary" suggests that the speaker is tired of the passing of time and the inevitability of change.

The second line of the sonnet continues the theme of time, with the speaker saying, "With shivering cold, which scarce the weak sun can / Behold, all clad in white, the world doth hue." The speaker is describing the winter season, which is characterized by cold temperatures and snow. The use of the word "shivering" suggests that the speaker is feeling the effects of the cold weather. The phrase "which scarce the weak sun can behold" suggests that the sun is not strong enough to melt the snow and warm the earth.

The third line of the sonnet introduces the theme of love, with the speaker saying, "The icy fountains that are yet unborn / Shall soon beget the image of your face." The speaker is saying that even though it is winter and everything is cold and barren, the love that he feels for his beloved will soon bring forth new life. The use of the word "fountains" suggests that the speaker's love is a source of life and vitality.

The fourth line of the sonnet continues the theme of love, with the speaker saying, "Whose fiery eyes already scorched with love, / Burn through the freezing cold that kindleth grace." The speaker is saying that his love for his beloved is so strong that it can overcome the cold and bring warmth and grace to the world. The use of the word "fiery" suggests that the speaker's love is passionate and intense.

The fifth and sixth lines of the sonnet continue the theme of love, with the speaker saying, "The waste is made a pasture of delight, / The bitter fountain sweetly doth it taste." The speaker is saying that his love for his beloved can transform even the most barren and bitter places into places of joy and sweetness. The use of the word "pasture" suggests that the speaker's love is a source of nourishment and sustenance.

The seventh and eighth lines of the sonnet introduce the theme of mortality, with the speaker saying, "And I, that was of late so lonesome grown, / So shattered in pieces with the storms of fate." The speaker is saying that he has been through a lot of hardship and suffering, and that he has felt alone and broken. The use of the word "storms" suggests that the speaker has been through a lot of turmoil and upheaval.

The ninth and tenth lines of the sonnet continue the theme of mortality, with the speaker saying, "That now rejoices in a pleasant state, / Feel all my wounds renewed with lesser hate." The speaker is saying that even though he is now in a better place, he still feels the pain of his past wounds. The use of the word "renewed" suggests that the speaker's wounds are still fresh and painful.

The eleventh and twelfth lines of the sonnet introduce the theme of time once again, with the speaker saying, "So I, that erstwhile never felt such smart, / Now feel the cold despite of summer's prime." The speaker is saying that even though it is summer, he still feels the cold of his past wounds. The use of the word "erstwhile" suggests that the speaker was once in a different state of mind.

The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the sonnet conclude the poem, with the speaker saying, "That all my senses, which thy sweetness served, / Now are by thy sharp rigour dulled and dead." The speaker is saying that his love for his beloved has dulled and deadened his senses. The use of the word "rigour" suggests that the speaker's beloved has been harsh or unkind to him.

In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXII is a beautiful and complex piece of poetry that explores the themes of love, time, and mortality. The sonnet is a testament to the power of love to transform even the most barren and bitter places into places of joy and sweetness. The sonnet also acknowledges the passage of time and the inevitability of change and mortality. Overall, Sonnet LXII is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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