'Sonnet 4' by John Berryman

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Ah when you drift hover before you kiss
More my mouth yours now, lips grow more to mine
Teeth click, suddenly your tongue like a ulled wine
Slides fire,—I wonder what the point of life is.
Do, down this night where I adore you, Chris,
So I forsake the blest assistant shine
Of deep-laid maps I made for summits, swine-
Enchanted lover, loafing in the abyss?

Loaf hardly, while my nerves d�nce, while the gale
Moans like your hair down here. But I lie still,
Strengthless and smiling under a maenad rule.
Whose limbs worked once, whose imagination's grail
Many or some would nourish, must now I fill
My strength with desire, my cup with your tongue,
No more Melpomene's, but Erato's fool? . .


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpreting John Berryman's Sonnet 4

Wow, have you ever read John Berryman's Sonnet 4? What a poem! It's not often that you come across a piece of literature that is so full of meaning and emotion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deep into the poem's themes and analyze its structure and language.

Background

First, let's talk a little bit about John Berryman. He was an American poet, born in 1914, who is best known for his collection of poems, The Dream Songs. Berryman wrote Sonnet 4 in 1967, towards the end of his career. The Dream Songs had already been published, and Berryman was dealing with personal struggles, including alcoholism and depression.

The Poem

Sonnet 4 is a Shakespearean sonnet, meaning it is composed of three quatrains and a final couplet. The poem's structure is consistent with the traditional sonnet form, but the language and tone are unique to Berryman's style.

Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so.
After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns,
we ourselves flash and yearn,
and moreover my mother told me as a boy
(repeatingly) “Ever to confess you’re bored
means you have no

Inner Resources.” I conclude now I have no
inner resources, because I am heavy bored.
Peoples bore me,
literature bores me, especially great literature,
Henry bores me, with his plights & gripes
as bad as Achilles,

who loves people and valiant art, which bores me.
And the tranquil hills, & gin, look like a drag
and somehow a dog
has taken itself & its tail considerably away
into the mountains or sea or sky, leaving
behind: me, wag.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 4 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 appreciated by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will take a closer look at Sonnet 4 and explore its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

Firstly, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. Sonnet 4 is a traditional sonnet, consisting of 14 lines and following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This creates a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, which adds to its beauty.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a young man, whom he refers to as "my lovely boy." The speaker then goes on to describe the young man's beauty, comparing him to the beauty of nature. He says that the young man's beauty is like the "summer's day," but then goes on to say that the young man's beauty is even more perfect than nature itself.

The speaker then goes on to say that the young man's beauty will never fade, as long as the young man lives. He says that the young man's beauty will be eternal, and that even death will not be able to take it away. The speaker then concludes the poem by saying that as long as people are alive to read and appreciate poetry, the young man's beauty will live on.

One of the main themes of Sonnet 4 is the theme of beauty. The speaker is in awe of the young man's beauty, and he compares it to the beauty of nature. However, the speaker goes on to say that the young man's beauty is even more perfect than nature itself. This suggests that the young man's beauty is not just physical, but also has a spiritual or divine quality to it.

Another theme of the poem is the theme of immortality. The speaker says that the young man's beauty will never fade, as long as the young man lives. This suggests that the young man's beauty is not just temporary, but eternal. The speaker also says that even death will not be able to take away the young man's beauty. This suggests that the young man's beauty is not just physical, but also has a spiritual or immortal quality to it.

The use of literary devices in Sonnet 4 is also worth noting. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is metaphor. The speaker compares the young man's beauty to the beauty of nature, saying that it is like a "summer's day." This metaphor creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds to the beauty of the poem.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "thou art" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the young man's beauty and making it clear that it is the central focus of the poem.

The use of imagery is also prominent in Sonnet 4. The speaker uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of the young man's beauty. For example, he says that the young man's eyes are "more bright than theirs," referring to the stars in the sky. This creates a powerful image in the reader's mind and adds to the beauty of the poem.

In conclusion, Sonnet 4 by John Berryman is a beautiful and timeless poem that explores themes of beauty and immortality. The use of literary devices such as metaphor, repetition, and imagery adds to the beauty of the poem and creates a powerful and emotional impact on the reader. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to create something that will live on long after the poet is gone.

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