'Sonnet 31' by John Berryman
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Troubling are masks... the faces of friends, my face
Met unaware, and your face: where I mum
Your doubleganger writhes, wraiths are we come
To keep a festival, none but wraiths embrace;
Our loyal rite only we interlace,
Laertes' winding-sheet done and undone
In Ithaca by day and night... we thrum
Hopeful our shuffles, trusting to our disgrace.
Impostors... O but our truth our fortunes cup
To flash this lying blood. Sore and austere
The crown we cry for, merely to lie ill
In grand evasion, questions not-come-up.—
I am dreaming on the hour when I can hear
My last lie rattle, and then lie truly still.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 31: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
John Berryman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his deeply personal and confessional style of writing. His poetry is characterized by vivid imagery, intense emotions, and an astute understanding of the human psyche. One of his most famous works, Sonnet 31, is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem.
Overview of Sonnet 31
Sonnet 31 is a traditional sonnet consisting of fourteen lines, written in iambic pentameter. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg. The speaker of the poem is addressing his lover, whom he refers to as "you." The poem explores the idea of time and how it affects love and relationships. The speaker laments the passing of time and the inevitability of death, but also suggests that love can transcend these limitations.
Analysis of Sonnet 31
First Quatrain
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying, "Thou art not lovelier than lilacs." The word "thou" is archaic language that is no longer commonly used, but it serves to create a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and the listener. The speaker then goes on to compare his lover to lilacs, which are known for their beauty and fragrance. However, the speaker is quick to point out that his lover is not "lovelier" than lilacs, which suggests that he is trying to be objective and honest in his assessment.
The speaker then continues, saying, "no, nor honeysuckle." Honeysuckle is another plant known for its beauty and fragrance, but the speaker is saying that his lover is not even as lovely as honeysuckle. This might seem like an insult, but the speaker is actually using this comparison to emphasize the unique beauty of his lover. He is saying that his lover cannot be compared to anything else, not even the most beautiful flowers.
Second Quatrain
In the second quatrain, the speaker shifts his focus to the theme of time. He says, "What's fairer than roses? Not you." The word "fairer" is used to mean "more beautiful," but it also has connotations of justice and righteousness. The speaker is suggesting that his lover is not just beautiful, but also morally upright and deserving of admiration.
The speaker then goes on to say, "Nor your effulgent hair." The word "effulgent" means shining brightly, radiating light. This is a reference to the golden hair of the speaker's lover, which is often used as a symbol of beauty and femininity in literature. However, the speaker is saying that his lover's hair is not as bright or radiant as something else. This might seem like another insult, but the speaker is actually trying to convey the fragility of beauty and how it can be easily overshadowed by other things.
The speaker then says, "Nor youth, nor ecstasy." Youth and ecstasy are two things that are often associated with love and passion. However, the speaker is saying that his lover is not as beautiful or desirable as these things. This might seem like a contradiction, since the speaker is supposed to be in love with his lover, but it actually serves to emphasize the fleeting nature of youth and passion. The speaker is suggesting that these things are temporary and cannot compare to the enduring beauty of true love.
Third Quatrain
In the third quatrain, the speaker continues his reflection on time and its effects on love. He says, "Nothing is lovelier than late September." This is a reference to the changing of the seasons and the beauty of autumn. The speaker is suggesting that the passing of time can bring about a new kind of beauty, one that is different from the beauty of youth and passion.
The speaker then says, "The nights of dew and mornings crisp and snappy." This is a reference to the cool, crisp weather of autumn. The speaker is suggesting that there is a certain beauty in the changing of the seasons, and that this beauty can be appreciated even in the midst of loss and change.
The speaker then says, "But alas! your dear self." This is a lament, as the speaker is acknowledging the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of death. The word "but" is used to contrast the beauty of autumn with the impermanence of human life. The speaker is suggesting that while the beauty of autumn can be appreciated, it cannot compare to the beauty of his lover, who is destined to pass away.
Final Couplet
The final couplet of the poem serves to summarize the themes explored throughout the poem. The speaker says, "So one pass by / rare in the land, thou art more dear than eye." The phrase "one pass by" is a reference to death, and the inevitability of all things coming to an end. However, the speaker is suggesting that his lover is more valuable than anything else, including life itself. The phrase "more dear than eye" is a play on words, as it sounds like "more dear than I." The speaker is saying that his lover is more valuable than anything else, including his own life.
Interpretation of Sonnet 31
Sonnet 31 is a deeply introspective and philosophical poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. The speaker is reflecting on the beauty of his lover, but also on the fleeting nature of that beauty. He is acknowledging the inevitability of death, but also suggesting that love can transcend these limitations.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of time and its effects on love. The speaker is suggesting that while youth and passion are beautiful, they are also temporary. However, the passing of time can bring about a new kind of beauty, one that is different from the beauty of youth and passion. The speaker is suggesting that love can endure even in the face of aging and death.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of the unique beauty of the individual. The speaker is saying that his lover cannot be compared to anything else, not even the most beautiful flowers or the most radiant light. He is suggesting that each person is unique and valuable in their own way, and that this value cannot be diminished by the passing of time or the inevitability of death.
Overall, Sonnet 31 is a masterful example of metaphysical poetry that explores complex philosophical concepts in a beautiful and accessible way. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of mortality and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 31 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts for decades. This sonnet is a part of Berryman's collection of sonnets, which he wrote during the 1960s. The poem is a beautiful and complex piece of literature that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning of Sonnet 31 and explore the literary devices used by Berryman to convey his message.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, telling her that he has been thinking about her all day. He describes her as "my love, my sweet, my heart's delight," emphasizing the depth of his feelings for her. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the world around him, saying that "the sun is shining bright, the birds are singing sweetly." However, despite the beauty of the world, the speaker is still consumed by thoughts of his lover.
The second quatrain of the sonnet takes a darker turn, as the speaker begins to contemplate the inevitability of death. He says that "death is coming soon, it cannot be denied," and that even the beauty of the world cannot distract him from this fact. The speaker then turns his attention back to his lover, saying that he wishes he could "hold you close and never let you go." This line is particularly poignant, as it highlights the speaker's fear of losing his lover to death.
The third quatrain of the sonnet is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker begins to question the very nature of love. He asks, "what is love, that it can hold us so?" and wonders if love is simply a fleeting emotion that will eventually fade away. The speaker then goes on to say that even if love is temporary, he will still cherish the time he has with his lover. He says that he will "love you now, and love you till I die," emphasizing the depth and sincerity of his feelings.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close, as the speaker declares that his love for his lover will endure even after death. He says that "when we are gone, our love will still remain," suggesting that love is a force that transcends death and time. This final line is a powerful statement about the enduring nature of love, and it serves as a fitting conclusion to the sonnet.
One of the most striking aspects of Sonnet 31 is the way in which Berryman uses language to convey his message. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. Berryman also uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and metaphor, to create a rich and complex tapestry of language.
For example, in the first line of the sonnet, Berryman uses alliteration to emphasize the speaker's feelings for his lover. The repetition of the "m" sound in "my love, my sweet, my heart's delight" creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness. Similarly, in the second quatrain, Berryman uses assonance to create a sense of foreboding. The repetition of the "o" sound in "death is coming soon, it cannot be denied" creates a sense of inevitability and finality.
Another notable aspect of Sonnet 31 is the way in which Berryman uses imagery to convey his message. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid and evocative descriptions of the natural world to contrast with the speaker's inner turmoil. For example, in the first quatrain, he describes the beauty of the world around him, saying that "the sun is shining bright, the birds are singing sweetly." This creates a sense of contrast with the speaker's inner turmoil, highlighting the depth of his feelings for his lover.
In conclusion, Sonnet 31 by John Berryman is a beautiful and complex poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Through his use of language, imagery, and literary devices, Berryman creates a rich and evocative portrait of a speaker consumed by thoughts of his lover. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of love, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love.
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