'The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour' by Sir Thomas Wyatt


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The long love that in my thought doth harbour
And in mine hert doth keep his residence,
Into my face presseth with bold pretence
And therein campeth, spreading his banner.
She that me learneth to love and suffer
And will that my trust and lustës negligence
Be rayned by reason, shame, and reverence,
With his hardiness taketh displeasure.
Wherewithall unto the hert's forest he fleeth,
Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry,
And there him hideth and not appeareth.
What may I do when my master feareth
But in the field with him to live and die?
For good is the life ending faithfully.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour: A Masterpiece by Sir Thomas Wyatt

Introduction

Poetry is an art that has been used for centuries to express human emotions and feelings. One of the most famous poems that have stood the test of time and still resonates with people today is Sir Thomas Wyatt's "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour."

In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this timeless piece of poetry, and why it still matters.

Historical Background

Before we dive into the poem, it is essential to understand the historical context that led to its creation. Sir Thomas Wyatt was a 16th-century English poet and diplomat, who was born in Kent, England, in 1503. He was a courtier in the service of King Henry VIII and was known for his wit, intelligence, and charm.

Wyatt lived in a time of immense political and social change, as England moved from the medieval period to the Renaissance. He was a contemporary of other famous English writers such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and was part of a literary movement known as the English Renaissance.

Literary Analysis

Title

The title of the poem, "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It is clear that the speaker is in love and has been for a long time. The use of the word "harbour" suggests that the love is a safe and secure place, where the speaker can rest and find refuge.

Structure

The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, which was a popular form of poetry in the Renaissance. It consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet.

The sonnet is divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines). This structure allows the poet to develop an argument or idea in the first eight lines, and then provide a conclusion or resolution in the final six lines.

Language and Imagery

Wyatt's use of language and imagery is one of the most striking features of the poem. He employs a range of literary devices, including simile, metaphor, and personification, to create a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's love.

In the first line, the speaker describes their love as "long," suggesting that it has been present for a significant amount of time. The word "love" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance and centrality to the speaker's life.

The use of the word "thought" in the second line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's love exists primarily in their mind. This is reinforced by the metaphor of the "harbour," which suggests that the love is a safe and secure place within the speaker's thoughts.

The imagery in the third and fourth lines is particularly powerful, as the speaker compares their love to a ship that is sailing on the sea. The use of the verb "is" in line three suggests that the love is currently in motion, while the simile in line four compares the ship to a "prince's ship," suggesting that the love is valuable and precious.

The final six lines of the poem provide a resolution to the argument or idea presented in the octave. In these lines, the speaker acknowledges that their love may not be reciprocated and that they may never be able to express their feelings to the object of their affection. However, the speaker also suggests that their love is enough, and that they will continue to cherish it regardless of the outcome.

Themes

The themes explored in "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" are timeless and universal. The poem deals with the nature of love, its power to endure, and the pain that can be caused by unrequited feelings.

One of the most significant themes in the poem is the idea of the idealized, unattainable love. The speaker's love is portrayed as pure and perfect, existing only in their thoughts and imagination. This idealized love is contrasted with the reality of the situation, as the speaker acknowledges that their feelings may never be reciprocated.

Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of the power of memory. The speaker's love is described as "long," suggesting that it has been present for a significant amount of time. The use of the word "thought" also emphasizes the importance of memory in the speaker's love, as it exists primarily in their mind.

Significance and Relevance

"The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with people today. Its themes of love, memory, and the pain of unrequited feelings are universal and timeless, and its use of language and imagery is both beautiful and evocative.

The poem is also significant in its historical context, as it provides a window into the world of the English Renaissance and the literary and cultural movements of the time. As a contemporary of Shakespeare and Marlowe, Wyatt's work is an important part of the literary canon and an essential piece of English history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" is a masterpiece of English poetry that has stood the test of time. Its themes of love, memory, and the pain of unrequited feelings are universal and timeless, and its use of language and imagery is both beautiful and evocative.

Sir Thomas Wyatt's poem provides a window into the world of the English Renaissance and the literary and cultural movements of the time. Its significance in English history cannot be overstated, and its continued relevance today is a testament to its enduring power and beauty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour: A Classic Poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and feelings. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" by Sir Thomas Wyatt. This classic poem is a beautiful expression of love and longing that has captured the hearts of readers for generations.

Sir Thomas Wyatt was a poet and diplomat who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his love poems, which were often inspired by his own experiences. "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" is one of his most famous works and is considered a masterpiece of English literature.

The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.

The first line of the poem, "The long love that in my thought doth harbour," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing his deep and enduring love for someone who is not present. The word "long" suggests that this love has been present for a long time and has not diminished over time.

The second line, "And in mine heart doth keep his residence," reinforces the idea that this love is a constant presence in the speaker's life. The use of the word "residence" suggests that this love has taken up permanent residence in the speaker's heart.

The third and fourth lines, "Into my face presseth with bold pretence, / And therein campeth, spreading his banner," suggest that this love is not just a feeling but a physical presence. The speaker feels the presence of this love in his face, and it spreads like a banner, indicating that it is a powerful force.

The fifth and sixth lines, "She that me learns to love and to suffer, / And will that my trust and lust's negligence," introduce the object of the speaker's love. The speaker is addressing a woman who has taught him how to love and suffer. The use of the word "lust" suggests that the speaker's love is not just a physical attraction but a deeper emotional connection.

The seventh and eighth lines, "Be rayned by reason, shame, and reverence, / With his hardiness taketh displeasure," suggest that the speaker's love is not without its challenges. The speaker acknowledges that reason, shame, and reverence should reign over his emotions, but his love is too strong to be controlled. The use of the word "hardiness" suggests that the speaker's love is a strong and powerful force that cannot be easily tamed.

The ninth and tenth lines, "Wherewithall unto the heart's forest he fleeth, / Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry," suggest that the speaker's love is a journey. The heart's forest is a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, and the love that he feels is like a journey through this forest. The use of the words "pain and cry" suggests that this journey is not without its difficulties.

The eleventh and twelfth lines, "And there him hideth, and not appeareth, / What may I do when my master feareth," suggest that the speaker's love is not always visible. The love that he feels is sometimes hidden, and the speaker is left wondering what to do when his master, or his emotions, are afraid.

The final two lines of the poem, "But in the field with him is none equal, / From me in him is no more life nor breath," suggest that the speaker's love is unique and unparalleled. The love that he feels is so strong that it has become a part of him, and he cannot imagine life without it.

In conclusion, "The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbour" is a beautiful expression of love and longing that has stood the test of time. Sir Thomas Wyatt's use of language and imagery creates a powerful and emotional poem that has captured the hearts of readers for centuries. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human experience of longing for someone who is not present.

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