'Sonnet 19 - The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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XIX
The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise;
I barter curl for curl upon that mart,
And from my poet's forehead to my heart
Receive this lock which outweighs argosies,—
As purply black, as erst to Pindar's eyes
The dim purpureal tresses gloomed athwart
The nine white Muse-brows. For this counterpart, . . .
The bay-crown's shade, Beloved, I surmise,
Still lingers on thy curl, it is so black!
Thus, with a fillet of smooth-kissing breath,
I tie the shadows safe from gliding back,
And lay the gift where nothing hindereth;
Here on my heart, as on thy brow, to lack
No natural heat till mine grows cold in death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 19 - The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnet 19 is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the concept of the soul's marketplace. It is a stunning work of art that uses language to create vivid images and emotions, drawing the reader into the poem's world. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed interpretation of this classic poem, examining its themes, language, and structure.
Overview
Sonnet 19 is a Petrarchan sonnet that is divided into two parts. The first part, which consists of the first eight lines, discusses the soul's Rialto, a marketplace where the soul can buy and sell experiences. The second part, which consists of the final six lines, focuses on the speaker's desire to sell some of her own experiences.
Themes
One of the central themes of this poem is the soul's marketplace. The speaker describes the soul's Rialto as a place where people can buy and sell experiences. This marketplace represents the idea that the soul is constantly searching for new experiences to add to its collection. The idea of the soul as a marketplace is not new, as it has been explored in literature for centuries. However, Barrett Browning's use of language creates a vivid and memorable image of this marketplace, making it seem almost real.
Another theme that this poem explores is the idea of self-reflection. The speaker reflects on her own experiences and desires to sell them. This self-reflection is an important part of the poem's message, as it emphasizes the importance of taking time to consider one's own life experiences. By doing so, the speaker is able to appreciate the value of her experiences and recognize their worth.
Language
Barrett Browning's use of language in this poem is stunning. She uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a world that is both beautiful and haunting. For example, in the first line, she describes the soul's Rialto as a "marketplace" where souls are "bartered" and "sold." This metaphor creates a vivid image of the soul's marketplace, making it easy for the reader to visualize.
The language in the second part of the poem is also powerful. The speaker describes her own experiences as "gems" and "pearls," emphasizing their value. This language creates a sense of pride in the speaker's experiences, making them seem even more important.
Structure
The structure of this poem is also important. It is a Petrarchan sonnet, which consists of two parts. The first part, which consists of the first eight lines, is known as the octave, while the second part, which consists of the final six lines, is known as the sestet. The octave sets up the poem's central idea, while the sestet provides a resolution. In this poem, the octave introduces the idea of the soul's marketplace, while the sestet focuses on the speaker's own experiences.
Interpretation
The main message of this poem is that our experiences are valuable and should be appreciated. The soul's marketplace represents the idea that we are constantly seeking new experiences to add to our collection. However, the speaker's desire to sell her own experiences suggests that we should also take time to reflect on our own experiences and appreciate their value.
The metaphor of the soul's Rialto is both beautiful and haunting. It suggests that our experiences are valuable, but also implies that they can be lost or forgotten if we do not take the time to appreciate them. The language in the second part of the poem emphasizes the value of our experiences, creating a sense of pride and appreciation.
Overall, Sonnet 19 is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the concept of the soul's marketplace. Barrett Browning's use of language creates vivid images and emotions, drawing the reader into the poem's world. The poem's message is an important one, emphasizing the value of taking time to reflect on our own experiences and appreciate their worth.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 19 - The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise is a classic poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This poem is a part of her collection of sonnets, Sonnets from the Portuguese, which was published in 1850. The poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's belief in the immortality of the soul and the power of love to transcend death. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise." The word "Rialto" refers to the commercial center of Venice, Italy, where merchants would gather to trade goods. In this line, the poet is comparing the soul to a marketplace where goods are bought and sold. The "merchandise" of the soul is the experiences and emotions that we accumulate throughout our lives.
The second line of the poem reads, "I barter for thyself, and hold it dear." Here, the poet is addressing her beloved, whom she is addressing throughout the entire collection of sonnets. She is saying that she is willing to trade all of her experiences and emotions for her beloved's love. She values his love above all else.
In the third line, the poet says, "Not willing to impair thy memory dear." Here, the poet is expressing her desire to preserve her beloved's memory. She does not want to forget him or let his memory fade away. She wants to hold onto his memory and keep it alive.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Nor spoil thy quiet with a needless tear." Here, the poet is saying that she does not want to disturb her beloved's peace with her tears. She does not want to cause him any unnecessary pain or sadness.
In the fifth line, the poet says, "I am not of those miserable males." Here, the poet is referring to the tradition of male poets who wrote about their unrequited love for a woman. She is saying that she is not like those male poets who were miserable because their love was not returned. She is confident in her beloved's love for her.
In the sixth line, the poet says, "Who sniff at vice and, sniff it, swallow bale." Here, the poet is criticizing those who condemn vice but then indulge in it themselves. She is saying that these people are hypocrites who bring suffering upon themselves.
In the seventh line, the poet says, "Poor wretch, thou art decaying in thy face." Here, the poet is addressing her beloved again. She is saying that he is growing old and his physical appearance is deteriorating. However, she is not concerned with his physical appearance. She loves him for who he is, not for his looks.
In the eighth line, the poet says, "Thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now." Here, the poet is referring to her beloved's youth, which was once admired by many. She is saying that his youth is now fading away, but she still loves him just as much.
In the ninth line, the poet says, "Will be a tattered weed of small worth found." Here, the poet is saying that her beloved's youth, which was once so valuable, will eventually become worthless. However, she still values him for who he is, not for his youth or physical appearance.
In the tenth line, the poet says, "Then, being asked where all thy beauty lies." Here, the poet is imagining a future scenario where someone asks where her beloved's beauty has gone. She is saying that his beauty lies in his soul, not in his physical appearance.
In the eleventh line, the poet says, "Where all the treasure of thy lusty days." Here, the poet is referring to the experiences and emotions that her beloved has accumulated throughout his life. She is saying that these treasures lie in his soul, not in his physical appearance.
In the twelfth line, the poet says, "To say, within thine own deep sunken eyes." Here, the poet is saying that her beloved's eyes are the windows to his soul. She is saying that his true beauty and worth can be seen in his eyes.
In the thirteenth line, the poet says, "Were an all-eating shame and thriftless praise." Here, the poet is saying that it would be a shame to focus on her beloved's physical appearance and ignore the beauty of his soul. She is saying that this would be a wasteful and pointless endeavor.
In the final line of the poem, the poet says, "How much more praise deserved thy beauty's use." Here, the poet is saying that her beloved's true beauty lies in the way he uses it. She is saying that he deserves more praise for the way he lives his life and the way he treats others than for his physical appearance.
In conclusion, Sonnet 19 - The soul's Rialto hath its merchandise is a beautiful expression of the poet's belief in the immortality of the soul and the power of love to transcend death. The poem is a reminder that true beauty lies in the soul, not in physical appearance. The poet's love for her beloved is not based on his youth or physical appearance, but on the beauty of his soul. This poem is a timeless reminder that true beauty is eternal and that love can conquer all.
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