'Sonnet 36' by John Berryman
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Sonnets To Chris1966Keep your eyes open when you kiss: do: when
You kiss. All silly time else, close them to;
Unsleeping, I implore you (dear) pursue
In darkness me, as I do you again
Instantly we part... only me both then
And when your fingers fall, let there be two
Only, 'in that dream-kingdom': I would have you
Me alone recognize your citizen.Before who wanted eyes, making love, so?
I do now. However we are driven and hide,
What state we keep all other states condemn,
We see ourselves, we watch the solemn glow
Of empty courts we kiss in...Open wide!
You do, you do, and I look into them.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 36 by John Berryman: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Sonnet 36 by John Berryman is a tour de force of poetic craftsmanship, imbued with the author's personal struggles and insights into the human condition. In this essay, I will analyze this masterpiece of literature and explore its themes, structure, and language, as well as provide my personal interpretation of the poem.
Background and Context
John Berryman was an American poet and scholar, born in 1914 and died in 1972. He is best known for his confessional poetry, which dealt with his personal struggles with alcoholism, depression, and relationships. Berryman was a prominent figure of the mid-20th century American poetry scene, along with other notable poets such as Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath.
Sonnet 36 is part of Berryman's collection "Sonnetes en Duois", which he wrote in the 1950s. The collection consists of 116 sonnets, each consisting of 14 lines and written in iambic pentameter. The poems are addressed to a fictional alter ego, Henry, who represents Berryman's own struggles and experiences.
Themes
At its core, Sonnet 36 is about the fragility of human relationships, and how they are affected by time and distance. The poem explores the pain of separation and the longing for connection, as well as the fear of rejection and the inevitability of loss.
The theme of separation is evident from the very first line, where the speaker laments "Your absence has gone through me". The use of the word "gone" suggests that the absence is not just temporary, but permanent, and has left a lasting impression on the speaker. The phrase "Like thread through a needle" reinforces this idea of something delicate and easily broken.
The poem also explores the theme of time, and how it affects human relationships. The lines "Everything that was yours, lovely, and fair, / Is gone, and is ours, and is not there" suggest that time has transformed the speaker's memories of the loved one. The past is no longer the same, and the present is not what it used to be.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the fear of rejection and the pain of unrequited love. The lines "I have lost your love for me, and your grace" suggest that the speaker has been rejected by the loved one, and is left with nothing but the memory of their affection. The phrase "my heart is blind with sorrow" underscores the emotional pain of this rejection.
Finally, the poem touches on the theme of death and loss. The lines "All the bright precious things fade so fast / And they fade, and they fleet, and they are gone" suggest that everything in life is fleeting, and that death is inevitable. The poem ends on a note of resignation, with the speaker acknowledging that "All things are taken from us, and become / Portions and parcels of the dreadful past".
Structure and Language
Sonnet 36 is written in iambic pentameter, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The use of the traditional sonnet form gives the poem a sense of structure and order, which contrasts with the chaotic emotions expressed in the content of the poem.
The poem also makes use of alliteration and assonance, which create a musical quality to the language. For example, the phrase "lovely, and fair" has a pleasing sound to the ear, as does the repeated "f" sound in the line "All the bright precious things fade so fast".
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no elaborate metaphors or complex wordplay. This simplicity reinforces the theme of loss and separation, as the speaker is left with nothing but memories of what once was.
Interpretation
To me, Sonnet 36 is a poignant expression of the pain of separation and the inevitability of loss. The poem captures the essence of human relationships, which are fragile and easily broken by time and distance. The speaker's pain and longing are palpable, and the resigned acceptance of the final lines is heartbreaking.
I also see the poem as a reflection of Berryman's own struggles with relationships and his personal demons. The use of the fictional alter ego, Henry, suggests that the poem is deeply personal and reflects Berryman's own experiences.
Overall, Sonnet 36 is a timeless masterpiece of poetry, which speaks to the universal human experience of love, loss, and longing. It is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his insight into the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Sonnet 36 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to convey deep emotions and thoughts. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Sonnet 36 to understand its meaning and significance.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying, “I thought once how Theocritus had sung”. Theocritus was a Greek poet who wrote about love and nature. The speaker is comparing his own love to that of Theocritus, suggesting that his love is just as pure and beautiful. However, he quickly realizes that his love is not like Theocritus’ because it is not perfect. He says, “Of the sweet years, the dear and wished-for years, / Who each one in a gracious hand appears”. The speaker is acknowledging that time is fleeting and that he cannot hold onto the past. He wishes he could go back to the “sweet years” when his love was new and fresh.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this theme of time and the fleeting nature of love. The speaker says, “But only for so short a while / The world is mine oyster, which I with sword will open”. The speaker is saying that he wants to seize the moment and make the most of his time with his lover. He wants to open up the world and experience everything it has to offer. However, he knows that this is not possible because time is always moving forward. He says, “I have been foolish, and have drunk / Sunk from the prime of day to endless night”. The speaker is admitting that he has wasted time and that he cannot go back to the “prime of day” when his love was new.
The third quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus to the speaker’s lover. He says, “Yet at the end of all, that end of mine, / I saw where I had walked, and far away / How in your grave the winter flowers shine”. The speaker is acknowledging that he will eventually die, but his love will live on. He sees his lover’s grave and the flowers that grow on it, symbolizing the enduring nature of love. The speaker is saying that even though time is fleeting, love can last forever.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings everything together. The speaker says, “Ah, sweetly, sweetly picked from the fruit-tree / Only to fall and perish fruitlessly”. The speaker is saying that his love was like a fruit that was picked from a tree, but it fell and perished. He is acknowledging that his love was not perfect and that it did not last forever. However, he ends the sonnet on a hopeful note, saying, “Ah, but to die, and to die with thee, / That were to die indeed”. The speaker is saying that even though his love did not last forever, he would be willing to die with his lover. He sees death as a way to be reunited with his lover and to experience eternal love.
The structure of Sonnet 36 is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is also typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. The use of iambic pentameter gives the sonnet a rhythmic quality that adds to its beauty and elegance.
The language of Sonnet 36 is rich and poetic. Berryman uses metaphors and imagery to convey the speaker’s emotions and thoughts. For example, the metaphor of the fruit tree is used to describe the speaker’s love. The imagery of the winter flowers on the lover’s grave symbolizes the enduring nature of love. The language is also very emotional, with the speaker expressing his love and his sorrow at its fleeting nature.
In conclusion, Sonnet 36 is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that explores the themes of time, love, and mortality. The structure and language of the sonnet add to its beauty and elegance. Berryman’s use of metaphors and imagery helps to convey the speaker’s emotions and thoughts. Overall, Sonnet 36 is a classic piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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