'Sonnets 12: Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Cherish you then the hope I shall forget
At length, my lord, Pieria?—put away
For your so passing sake, this mouth of clay
These mortal bones against my body set,
For all the puny fever and frail sweat
Of human love,—renounce for these, I say,
The Singing Mountain's memory, and betray
The silent lyre that hangs upon me yet?
Ah, but indeed, some day shall you awake,
Rather, from dreams of me, that at your side
So many nights, a lover and a bride,
But stern in my soul's chastity, have lain,
To walk the world forever for my sake,
And in each chamber find me gone again!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget" by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
Sonnets are a form of poetry that have captivated readers for centuries. And Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget" is no exception. This sonnet is a masterpiece of love and loss, a poignant and powerful exploration of what it means to cherish a memory even as it fades away. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of Millay's poetic genius, exploring the themes, symbolism, and language that make this sonnet so unforgettable.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the sonnet itself, it's important to understand a bit about Edna St. Vincent Millay and the context in which she wrote. Millay was an American poet, playwright, and feminist who rose to prominence in the early 20th century. She was known for her unconventional lifestyle, her feminist views, and her passionate and often sensual poetry. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, and her work continues to be celebrated today for its wit, beauty, and emotional intensity.
"Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget" was written in 1922, during a time when Millay was grappling with the end of a love affair. The sonnet is part of a larger sequence called "Fatal Interview," which explores the themes of love, loss, and betrayal in a relationship that has come to an end. In this context, the sonnet takes on added significance, as it reflects Millay's own experiences of heartbreak and the struggle to let go of a cherished memory.
The Sonnet: Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget
Let's take a closer look at the sonnet itself:
Cherish you then the hope I shall forget
At length, my lord, Pieria?-put away
For your so passing sake, this mouthful of
tongue,
This balm-and-flower-foretelling herb and say
How long your swearing hearts endure; thishour,
This rare, this lovely hour, and unpossessed
By any save our two souls, and the power
Of one witch-like, and nine goddesses.
Press close, bare-bosomed Night! Press close,
yea, closer, Night of the loose-tongued Traitor's
daughter!
Desperate her clinging hands; desperate,
Desperate her thwarted throat. Oh, desperate
Desperate her blue gaze, though stained with light!
Yet, oh, that hour of parted lips! O, Ineffable!
O, Endless Night, with you embodied there!
At first glance, the sonnet may seem somewhat cryptic or difficult to understand. But by breaking down the language, imagery, and structure of the poem, we can uncover its deeper meanings and significance.
The Themes: Love, Loss, and Memory
One of the most striking themes of the sonnet is the idea of cherishing a memory even as it fades away. The speaker is urging her lover ("my lord") to cherish the memory of their time together, even as she knows that she herself will eventually forget it. This creates a powerful sense of tension and melancholy, as the speaker struggles to hold onto something that is slipping away from her.
The sonnet is also imbued with a deep sense of loss and heartbreak. The speaker describes the passing of time ("At length"), suggesting that the relationship has already come to an end. She refers to "Desperate her clinging hands," "Desperate her thwarted throat," and "Desperate her blue gaze," all of which suggest that the speaker and her lover are in a state of emotional turmoil. This sense of loss is further amplified by the final lines of the sonnet, which speak of an "Endless Night" that embodies the memory of their love.
Finally, the sonnet deals with the theme of memory itself. The speaker is urging her lover to remember their time together, even as she knows that she herself will eventually forget it. This creates a poignant sense of the fleeting nature of memory, and the ways in which we hold onto memories that are precious to us even as they slip away.
The Imagery: Herbalism and Mythology
One of the most striking aspects of the sonnet is its use of imagery, which draws on both herbalism and mythology to create a rich and evocative atmosphere.
The speaker refers to "this mouthful of tongue, / This balm-and-flower-foretelling herb," which suggests a connection to the world of herbalism and natural medicine. This language creates a sense of intimacy and sensuality, as though the speaker is offering her lover a gift of healing and pleasure.
The sonnet also draws on mythology, referring to the "witch-like" power of the speaker and the "nine goddesses" who are invoked. This creates a sense of magic and mystery, as though the speaker and her lover are part of a larger cosmic drama that is unfolding.
The Language: Beauty, Sensuality, and Melancholy
Finally, we come to the language of the sonnet itself, which is a masterpiece of beauty, sensuality, and melancholy.
The language is rich and evocative, drawing on a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity. The use of alliteration ("balm-and-flower-foretelling herb") and repetition ("Desperate her") creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that is both pleasing to the ear and emotionally resonant.
The language is also deeply sensuous, with references to "bare-bosomed Night" and the "hour of parted lips." This creates a sense of intimacy and longing that is almost palpable.
Finally, the language is suffused with a sense of melancholy and loss, as the speaker acknowledges that the memory of their love will eventually fade away. This creates a sense of sadness and nostalgia that is both poignant and beautiful.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
In conclusion, "Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget" is a masterpiece of love and loss, a sonnet that explores the themes of memory, heartbreak, and the power of cherished moments. Through its rich imagery, sensuous language, and poignant tone, the sonnet captures the complexity and depth of human emotion. And through its exploration of herbalism and mythology, it creates a sense of magic and mystery that adds to its power and beauty.
Edna St. Vincent Millay was a poet of rare talent and insight, and "Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget" is a shining example of her mastery of the sonnet form. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates great writing, this sonnet is not to be missed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnets 12: Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of the complex emotions that arise when we are faced with the inevitability of change and loss. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written.
First, let us examine the structure of the poem. Sonnets 12 is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and meter. This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet is a rhyming couplet, which provides a sense of closure to the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, saying, "Cherish you then the hope I shall forget." The speaker is asking the person to hold onto hope, even though the speaker knows that they will eventually forget it. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of loss.
The first quatrain of the poem continues this theme, with the speaker saying, "Less than a memory, and a little more / Than a hope, cheerily enduring." The speaker is acknowledging that hope is something that is fleeting, but also something that can bring joy and comfort in the present moment. The use of the word "cheerily" suggests that the speaker sees hope as a positive force, even though they know it will not last.
The second quatrain of the poem shifts the focus to the natural world, with the speaker saying, "In the end, it is only the seasons / Flowing through you, that are eternal." This is a powerful image, suggesting that the cycles of nature are the only things that truly endure. The speaker is reminding the reader that everything in life is subject to change and that we must learn to accept this fact.
The third quatrain of the poem returns to the theme of hope, with the speaker saying, "Be comforted, small, you lovers, / Lest you too, sweetly disintegrate." The speaker is addressing lovers specifically, reminding them that their love is also subject to change and that they must cherish it while they can. The use of the word "disintegrate" is a powerful image, suggesting that love can be fragile and easily destroyed.
The final couplet of the poem provides a sense of closure, with the speaker saying, "But be remembered, O be remembered, / Love will not forget you, nor what you are." This is a beautiful sentiment, suggesting that even though everything in life is subject to change, love is something that endures. The use of the word "remembered" is significant, as it suggests that even though we may forget hope and other fleeting things, love is something that stays with us.
Now that we have examined the structure and themes of the poem, let us turn our attention to the historical context in which it was written. Edna St. Vincent Millay was a poet who lived in the early 20th century, a time of great social and political change. The world was recovering from World War I, and there was a sense of disillusionment and uncertainty about the future.
This context is important to understanding the themes of Sonnets 12. The poem speaks to the human experience of living in a world that is constantly changing and uncertain. The use of natural imagery, such as the seasons, is significant, as it suggests that even though everything in life is subject to change, there are still things that endure.
In conclusion, Sonnets 12: Cherish You Then The Hope I Shall Forget by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of change and loss. The use of iambic pentameter and the specific rhyme scheme give the poem a sense of structure and formality, while the themes of hope, love, and the transience of life give it a sense of depth and meaning. This poem is a timeless meditation on the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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