'Sonnet 41' by John Berryman
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And plough-month peters out... its thermal power
Squandered in sighs and poems and hopeless thought,
Which corn and honey, wine, soap, wax oil ought
Upon my farmling to have chivvied into flower.
I burn, not silly with remorse, in sour
Flat heat of the dying month I stretch out taut:
Twenty-four dawns the topaz woman wrought
To smile to me is gone. These days devour
Memory: what were you elbowed on your side?
Supine, your knee flexed? do I hear your words
Faint as a nixe, in our grove, saying farewells?...
At five I get up sleepless to decide
What I will not today do; ride out: hear birds
Antiphonal at the dayspring, and nothing else.
Submitted by Holt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 41 by John Berryman: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
John Berryman's Sonnet 41 is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss and the passage of time. The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem structured in a way that has been used since the Renaissance era. Sonnet 41 is part of a larger series of sonnets titled "The Dream Songs". The poem explores themes of love, mortality and memory.
Summary of Sonnet 41
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, whom he has known for a long time. The speaker expresses regret that they have grown old and that their youth and beauty have faded away. He remembers how they used to be beautiful and how they used to be in love. The speaker is now old and feels that their love has also aged and lost its charm.
The poem ends with a poignant question: "who shall return us, will o'er the sea / wish to see, crowds at Sidon and Tyre". The speaker is questioning whether anyone will ever remember them or the love they shared. The mention of Sidon and Tyre, ancient cities in Lebanon, adds a touch of grandeur to the poem and underscores the idea that love, like these ancient cities, can be lost and forgotten.
Analysis of Sonnet 41
Berryman's Sonnet 41 is a beautiful exploration of the transience of life and love. The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of youth and beauty. He remembers how they used to be and seems to be mourning the loss of that time. This theme of mortality is a common one in literature, and Berryman handles it with great skill.
The poem's use of language is another highlight. The speaker's use of the phrase "all's spent" is particularly powerful, as it conveys a sense of finality and inevitability. The use of "spent" suggests that everything has been used up and that there is nothing left to do. This sense of finality is echoed in the final line, where the speaker questions whether anyone will remember them or their love.
Berryman also makes use of symbolism in the poem. The mention of Sidon and Tyre, ancient cities that have long since been forgotten, is a powerful symbol of the transience of love. The speaker's question at the end of the poem is haunting, as it suggests that love, like these ancient cities, can be lost and forgotten.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the use of a rhetorical question. The final line of the poem is a question, and it is left unanswered. This technique is used to great effect, as it leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and loss. The question is also a nod to the theme of mortality, as it suggests that everything, including love, is temporary and fleeting.
Interpretation of Sonnet 41
Sonnet 41 can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One interpretation is that the poem is a lament for lost youth and beauty. The speaker is mourning the passage of time and the fading of love. This interpretation is supported by the use of language in the poem, as well as the imagery of ancient cities that have been forgotten.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and love. The speaker is questioning whether anything lasts forever and whether anyone will remember them or their love. This interpretation is supported by the use of rhetorical questions in the poem, as well as the symbolism of ancient cities that have been lost to time.
Sonnet 41 can also be interpreted as a reflection on the nature of memory. The speaker is questioning whether anyone will remember them or their love, implying that memory is fleeting and unreliable. This interpretation is supported by the use of the phrase "all's spent", which suggests that everything is used up and that there is nothing left to remember.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's Sonnet 41 is a masterpiece that explores themes of love, mortality and memory. The poem is a powerful meditation on the passage of time and the transience of life and love. Berryman's use of language and symbolism is masterful, and the poem's use of a rhetorical question leaves the reader with a haunting sense of uncertainty and loss.
Sonnet 41 is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways, and its themes of love, mortality and memory are timeless. Berryman's masterpiece is a testament to the power of poetry and the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet 41 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that has been analyzed and interpreted by scholars and enthusiasts alike. This sonnet is a part of Berryman's famous collection of poems, "77 Dream Songs," which was published in 1964. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of Sonnet 41 and why it is considered a classic piece of literature.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying, "All the world like a woolen lover / Once did seem on Henry's side." The speaker is referring to himself in the third person, which is a common literary device used in poetry. The use of the word "woolen" is significant because it suggests warmth and comfort, which is what the speaker feels when he is with his lover. The speaker then goes on to say that the world has changed, and he no longer feels the same way.
The second line of the poem reads, "Then came a departure." This departure is significant because it represents a turning point in the speaker's life. The speaker is no longer with his lover, and he feels lost and alone. The use of the word "departure" is also significant because it suggests a sense of finality. The speaker is acknowledging that his relationship with his lover is over, and he must move on.
The third line of the poem reads, "Thereafter nothing fell out as it might or ought." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's life has become chaotic and unpredictable. The use of the word "thereafter" suggests that the chaos began after the departure of the speaker's lover. The phrase "nothing fell out as it might or ought" suggests that the speaker's life is not going according to plan. This line is significant because it highlights the speaker's sense of loss and confusion.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "I don't see how Henry, pried / open for all the world to see, survived." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is struggling to cope with the loss of his lover. The use of the word "pried" suggests that the speaker's emotions are being forced out into the open. The phrase "open for all the world to see" suggests that the speaker's emotions are on display for everyone to see. The fact that the speaker is struggling to cope with his emotions is significant because it highlights the depth of his feelings for his lover.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "What he has now to say is a long / wonder the world can bear & be." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker has something important to say, but he is struggling to find the words. The use of the word "wonder" suggests that the speaker's thoughts are complex and difficult to understand. The fact that the speaker is struggling to find the words is significant because it highlights the depth of his emotions.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Once in a sycamore I was glad / all at the top, and I sang." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker was once happy and carefree. The use of the word "glad" suggests that the speaker was content with his life. The fact that the speaker was singing is significant because it suggests that he was happy and carefree.
The seventh line of the poem reads, "Hard on the land wears the strong sea / and empty grows every bed." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker's happiness has been replaced by sadness and emptiness. The use of the word "hard" suggests that the speaker's emotions are difficult to bear. The fact that the sea is wearing away the land is significant because it suggests that the speaker's emotions are overwhelming him.
The eighth line of the poem reads, "All the greens of his youth / pressed into his mouth." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about his youth. The use of the word "greens" suggests that the speaker is thinking about the natural world. The fact that the greens are pressed into his mouth is significant because it suggests that the speaker is trying to hold onto his memories.
The ninth line of the poem reads, "But he cannot inhale the spiked / and winding cold scent of the sea." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is unable to move on from his past. The use of the word "spiked" suggests that the speaker's emotions are painful. The fact that the scent of the sea is winding is significant because it suggests that the speaker's emotions are complex and difficult to understand.
The final line of the poem reads, "Tough luck, Henry, & full / many a flower is born to blush unseen." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is resigned to his fate. The use of the phrase "tough luck" suggests that the speaker is acknowledging that his life has not gone according to plan. The fact that many flowers are born to blush unseen is significant because it suggests that the speaker's emotions are not unique.
In conclusion, Sonnet 41 by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the themes of loss, confusion, and resignation. The poem is significant because it highlights the depth of the speaker's emotions and the complexity of his thoughts. The use of literary devices such as third-person narration and metaphorical language adds depth and meaning to the poem. Overall, Sonnet 41 is a beautiful piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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