'Astrophil And Stella - Sonnet CVIII' by Sir Philip Sidney
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When Sorrow, using mine own fire's might,
Melts down his lead into my boiling breast,
Through that dark furnace to my heart oppressed,
There shines a joy from thee, my only light:
But soon as thought of thee breeds my delight,
And my young soul flutters to thee, his nest,
Most rude Despair, my daily unbidden guest,
Clips straight my wings, straight wraps me in his night,
And makes me then bow down my head and say:
"Ah, what doth Phoebus' gold that wretch avail
Whom iron doors do keep from use of day?"
So strangely (alas) thy works in me prevail,
That in my woes for thee thou art my joy,
And in my joys for thee my only annoy.
Submitted by Jason Clapham
Editor 1 Interpretation
Astrophil And Stella - Sonnet CVIII: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Astrophil And Stella - Sonnet CVIII is one of the most celebrated love poems of all time. Written by Sir Philip Sidney, a prominent figure of the Elizabethan era, the poem is a masterpiece of literary art that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and imagery of this sonnet to unravel its deeper meaning and significance.
Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to provide some background information about Sir Philip Sidney and his works. Sidney was a poet, courtier, and soldier who lived in the late 16th century. He was a prominent figure of the Elizabethan era, known for his literary works and his chivalrous code of conduct. Sidney was a leading patron of the arts and a defender of English literature, and he is widely considered one of the greatest writers of the English Renaissance.
Astrophil And Stella is a collection of 108 sonnets that Sidney wrote in the late 16th century. The sonnets are addressed to a fictional character named Stella, who is believed to be based on Sidney's own love interest, Penelope Devereux. The sonnets are written in the Petrarchan tradition, which was popular in Italy at the time. In this tradition, love is represented as an unattainable ideal, and the lover is depicted as a despairing and hopeless figure who is consumed by his passion.
Sonnet CVIII: Analysis
Sonnet CVIII is one of the most famous sonnets in Astrophil And Stella. It is a powerful expression of love and longing that uses rich imagery and metaphor to convey the speaker's desire for his beloved. Let us explore the themes, structure, and imagery of this sonnet in detail.
Theme
The theme of Sonnet CVIII is the speaker's intense desire for his beloved. Throughout the sonnet, the speaker expresses his longing for Stella and his admiration of her beauty, charm, and grace. He is consumed by his passion for her and cannot imagine living without her. The theme of desire is a recurring motif in Astrophil And Stella, and it is one of the central themes of the Petrarchan tradition.
Structure
Sonnet CVIII follows the traditional Petrarchan structure, which consists of two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the problem or conflict, while the sestet offers a resolution or conclusion. The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet follows a variety of rhyme schemes. In Sonnet CVIII, the sestet has the rhyme scheme CDCDCD.
Imagery
The imagery in Sonnet CVIII is rich and evocative, and it is one of the most striking features of the poem. The imagery is primarily visual and sensory, and it conveys the speaker's intense emotions and desires. The following are some examples of the imagery in the poem:
- "O how thy worth with manners may I sing" - This line uses the metaphor of singing to describe the speaker's admiration of Stella's worth and value. The use of the verb "sing" suggests that Stella's worth is so great that it can only be expressed through music.
- "As Hermes once took to his feathers light" - This line alludes to the mythological figure of Hermes, who is known for his speed and agility. The image of feathers conveys the idea of lightness and swiftness, which is used to describe the speaker's desire for Stella.
- "Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore" - This line uses the metaphor of waves to describe the speaker's passion for Stella. The use of the verb "make" suggests that the waves have a deliberate and purposeful motion, which is used to describe the intensity of the speaker's desire.
Interpretation
The interpretation of Sonnet CVIII is complex and multifaceted, and it depends on the reader's perspective and experience. However, there are some general themes and motifs that can be discerned from the poem. The following are some possible interpretations of the poem:
- Love and Desire: One of the most obvious interpretations of the poem is that it is a celebration of love and desire. The speaker is consumed by his passion for Stella, and he cannot imagine living without her. The poem conveys the idea that love is a powerful and transformative force that can overcome all obstacles and challenges.
- Idealization and Objectification: Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the speaker's idealization and objectification of Stella. The speaker focuses on Stella's external beauty and charm, and he seems to view her as a passive object of his desire. The poem can be read as a critique of the Petrarchan tradition, which often portrays women as unattainable objects of male desire.
- Self-Reflection and Self-Doubt: A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the speaker's own self-doubt and insecurity. The speaker is consumed by his passion for Stella, but he also doubts his own worth and value. The poem can be read as a reflection of the speaker's own struggles with self-esteem and identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Astrophil And Stella - Sonnet CVIII is a powerful expression of love and desire that uses rich imagery and metaphor to convey the speaker's intense emotions. The poem is a masterpiece of literary art that captures the essence of the Petrarchan tradition and its themes of love, longing, and despair. The poem is also open to multiple interpretations, and it can be read as a celebration of love, a critique of objectification, or a reflection of self-doubt. Regardless of the interpretation, Sonnet CVIII is a timeless work of poetry that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Astrophil and Stella - Sonnet CVIII: An Analysis of Sir Philip Sidney's Classic Poem
Sir Philip Sidney's Astrophil and Stella is a collection of 108 sonnets that explore the themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Sonnet CVIII is one of the most famous and widely studied sonnets in the collection. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, Stella. He tells her that he has been writing sonnets to her for a long time, but he has never been able to capture the true essence of her beauty and charm. He says that his words are like "shadows" that cannot fully capture the "substance" of her beauty. This metaphorical language sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and figurative language.
The second quatrain of the poem explores the idea that the speaker's love for Stella is so intense that it has become a burden. He says that his love is like a "heavy burden" that he cannot bear. This metaphorical language suggests that the speaker's love is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it brings him great joy and happiness, but on the other hand, it also causes him pain and suffering.
The third quatrain of the poem explores the idea that the speaker's love for Stella is so strong that it has become a kind of madness. He says that his love has made him "mad" and that he is "bewitched" by her beauty. This metaphorical language suggests that the speaker's love is irrational and uncontrollable. He is so consumed by his love for Stella that he cannot think or act rationally.
The final couplet of the poem offers a resolution to the speaker's dilemma. He says that even though his love for Stella is a burden and a madness, he would not give it up for anything in the world. He says that his love is like a "rich jewel" that he will keep close to his heart forever. This metaphorical language suggests that the speaker's love is precious and valuable, and that he will cherish it always.
One of the most striking features of this poem is its use of metaphorical language. The speaker uses a variety of metaphors to describe his love for Stella, including shadows, burdens, madness, and jewels. These metaphors help to create a vivid and powerful image of the speaker's emotions, and they also help to convey the complexity of his relationship with Stella.
Another important feature of this poem is its structure. The poem is written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. This structure allows the speaker to explore his thoughts and feelings in a structured and organized way, and it also helps to create a sense of unity and coherence within the poem.
In addition to its use of metaphorical language and its structure, this poem also employs a variety of literary devices, including alliteration, assonance, and rhyme. For example, the first line of the poem contains the alliteration of "writing" and "wronged," which helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality within the poem. The poem also contains several instances of assonance, such as "beauty" and "bewitched," which helps to create a sense of unity and coherence within the poem.
In conclusion, Astrophil and Stella - Sonnet CVIII is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of love and desire. Through its use of metaphorical language, structure, and literary devices, the poem creates a vivid and powerful image of the speaker's emotions, and it also helps to convey the complexity of his relationship with Stella. This poem is a testament to Sir Philip Sidney's skill as a poet, and it continues to be studied and admired by readers and scholars alike.
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