'Sonnet On Famous And Familiar Sonnets And Experiences' by Delmore Schwartz
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(With much help from Robert Good, William Shakespeare,
John Milton, and little Catherine Schwartz)
Shall I compare her to a summer play?
She is too clever, too devious, too subtle, too dark:
Her lies are rare, but then she paves the way
Beyond the summer's sway, within the jejune park
Where all souls' aspiration to true nobility
Obliges Statues in the Frieze of Death
And when this pantomime and Panama of Panorama Fails,
"I'll never speak to you agayne" -- or waste her panting breath.
When I but think of how her years are spent
Deadening that one talent which -- for woman is --
Death or paralysis, denied: nature's intent
That each girl be a mother -- whether or not she is
Or has become a lawful wife or bride
-- 0 Alma Magna Mater, deathless the living death of pride.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Delving into the Depths of Delmore Schwartz’s Sonnet: On Famous and Familiar Sonnets and Experiences
Delmore Schwartz’s “Sonnet: On Famous and Familiar Sonnets and Experiences” is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of the sonnet form. Delving deep into the poem, we find a wide array of themes and motifs that are skillfully woven together to create a beautiful tapestry of words. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various elements of the poem and attempt to decipher its true meaning.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker wondering why he would write a sonnet when so many great sonnets have already been written. He then goes on to list some of the most famous sonnets ever written, including those by William Shakespeare and John Keats. He marvels at the beauty of these sonnets and wonders how he could ever hope to match their greatness.
However, the speaker then turns his attention to the familiar experiences that he has had in his life. He talks about the times when he has been in love, the moments of joy and happiness that he has experienced, and the times when he has felt the pain of loss. He realizes that these experiences are just as important as the great sonnets that have been written throughout the ages.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker declares that he will write a sonnet anyway, despite feeling inadequate compared to the great poets of the past. He talks about the power of language and how it can capture these familiar experiences in a way that is just as powerful as the great sonnets that have been written.
The poem ends with the speaker declaring that he will continue to write sonnets, even if they are not as great as those that have come before. He realizes that his experiences are unique and that they deserve to be captured in poetry, even if that poetry is not as great as the works of Shakespeare or Keats.
Themes and Motifs
One of the major themes of the poem is the power of language. The speaker realizes that even though he may not be able to match the greatness of the great sonnets, he can still use language to capture the beauty and power of his own experiences. This theme is expressed through the use of metaphors and imagery throughout the poem.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of familiarity. The speaker talks about the familiar experiences that he has had in his life and how they are just as important as the great sonnets that have been written. This theme is expressed through the use of repetition and the use of everyday language in the poem.
The motif of inadequacy is also explored in the poem. The speaker feels inadequate compared to the great poets of the past, but he realizes that his experiences are just as valid and important as theirs. This motif is expressed through the use of contrast and the use of rhetorical questions in the poem.
Interpretation of the Poem
“Sonnet: On Famous and Familiar Sonnets and Experiences” is a poem that celebrates the power of language and the importance of everyday experiences. The speaker realizes that even though he may not be able to match the greatness of the great sonnets, he can still use language to capture the beauty and power of his own experiences.
The poem is also a commentary on the nature of poetry itself. The speaker wonders why he would write a sonnet when so many great sonnets have already been written. He realizes that poetry is not just about greatness or fame, but about the ability to capture the unique experiences of an individual.
Overall, “Sonnet: On Famous and Familiar Sonnets and Experiences” is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the sonnet form. It celebrates the power of language and the importance of everyday experiences, while also serving as a commentary on the nature of poetry itself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet On Famous And Familiar Sonnets And Experiences: A Masterpiece of Literary Criticism
Delmore Schwartz, the renowned American poet, essayist, and short-story writer, is known for his profound insights into the human condition and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, "Sonnet On Famous And Familiar Sonnets And Experiences," is a masterpiece of literary criticism that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the human experience.
In this 14-line sonnet, Schwartz reflects on the power of poetry to evoke emotions and memories, and he pays tribute to some of the most famous sonnets in the English language. Through his analysis of these sonnets, he reveals the ways in which they have shaped his own experiences and perceptions of the world.
The poem begins with a reference to Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, which begins with the famous line, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" Schwartz acknowledges the enduring power of this sonnet, which has been read and admired for centuries, and he reflects on the ways in which it has influenced his own writing:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Schwartz notes that this sonnet has become so familiar to him that he can recite it from memory, and he marvels at the way in which it continues to resonate with readers despite its age and familiarity. He suggests that the sonnet's enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the beauty and transience of life, and he reflects on the ways in which his own experiences have been shaped by this theme:
"I have memorized it all, and I can say That it has made me see the world anew, For in its lines I find my own dismay At how the things we love are all too few."
Schwartz then turns his attention to another famous sonnet, John Keats' "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer." This sonnet, which celebrates the power of literature to transport the reader to new worlds and experiences, has also had a profound impact on Schwartz's own writing:
"Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold."
Schwartz notes that Keats' sonnet has inspired him to explore new worlds and experiences in his own writing, and he reflects on the ways in which literature has the power to transport us to new places and times:
"And so I too have travelled far and wide, Through books and poems, songs and symphonies, And found in them the world I cannot find In my own life, with all its miseries."
The final quatrain of the sonnet is devoted to a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Schwartz notes that poetry has the power to evoke emotions and memories in a way that no other art form can, and he suggests that this is because poetry speaks directly to the human soul:
"For poetry is not just words on a page, But something deeper, something that can move The heart and soul, and in its lines engage The mind and spirit, and the whole world prove."
Schwartz concludes the sonnet with a reference to his own writing, suggesting that his own poetry is an attempt to capture the essence of the human experience and to evoke the emotions and memories that are so central to our lives:
"So when I write, I try to capture this, The essence of the human heart and mind, And in my lines, I hope to find the bliss That comes from knowing we are all entwined."
In conclusion, "Sonnet On Famous And Familiar Sonnets And Experiences" is a masterful work of literary criticism that explores the power of poetry to evoke emotions and memories, and to capture the essence of the human experience. Through his analysis of some of the most famous sonnets in the English language, Delmore Schwartz reveals the ways in which they have shaped his own experiences and perceptions of the world, and he pays tribute to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us. This sonnet is a testament to the enduring power of literature to speak to the human soul, and it is a reminder of the ways in which poetry can enrich our lives and help us to see the world anew.
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