'Sonnet III' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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I have a hoard of treasure in my breast;
The grange of memory steams against the door,
Full of my bygone lifetime's garnered store -
Old pleasures crowned with sorrow for a zest,
Old sorrow grown a joy, old penance blest,
Chastened remembrance of the sins of yore
That, like a new evangel, more and more
Supports our halting will toward the best.
Ah! what to us the barren after years
May bring of joy or sorrow, who can tell?
O, knowing not, who cares?It may be well
That we shall find old pleasures and old fears,
And our remembered childhood seen thro' tears,
The best of Heaven and the worst of Hell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Robert Louis Stevenson's Sonnet III: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
Robert Louis Stevenson's Sonnet III is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. The sonnet explores the themes of love, nature, and mortality. Through the use of powerful imagery and metaphors, Stevenson creates a vivid and compelling picture of the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the structure, language, and themes of Sonnet III and show how Stevenson's poetic voice comes through in his words.
Structure
Sonnet III follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with its fourteen lines and iambic pentameter. However, Stevenson adds his own unique style to the sonnet form. Instead of the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, Stevenson uses a modified rhyme scheme of ABAB ABAB CDCD EE. This modification creates a sense of continuity and unity in the poem, as the first and second quatrains are linked together through their rhyme scheme.
Stevenson also uses enjambment throughout the sonnet, breaking the lines in unexpected places and creating a sense of fluidity in the poem. This fluidity is particularly evident in the closing couplet, where the final two lines form a single sentence that flows seamlessly from one line to the next:
So in the fields of Heaven, where the spring
Gathers her blooms before the Almighty's feet,
Three humble hearts, with joy toward him beating,
Shall near his throne their glad thanksgiving repeat.
This sense of fluidity and unity in the poem reflects Stevenson's belief in the interconnectedness of all things.
Language
Stevenson's language in Sonnet III is both powerful and evocative. He uses a variety of poetic devices to create a vivid picture of the natural world and the human experience. One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of personification. Stevenson personifies nature throughout the sonnet, giving it a sense of agency and power:
And the wild rose, sweetest of all, has died;
Her frail fair form on softer airs to lie;
Here, the wild rose is given agency, as if it has chosen to die and is being carried off by the wind. This personification creates a sense of intimacy between the natural world and the reader, as if we are witnessing the passing of a beloved friend.
Stevenson also uses metaphor throughout the sonnet to explore the theme of mortality. He compares the human experience to that of a flower, which withers and dies with the passing of time:
Down in the fields of wild corn and clover
Our youth like summer blossoms fades away;
This metaphor creates a sense of fragility and transience in the poem, reminding the reader of the fleeting nature of life.
Themes
Sonnet III explores a number of themes, including love, nature, and mortality. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the interconnectedness of all things. Stevenson uses the natural world as a metaphor for the human experience, showing how both are subject to the same cycles of birth, growth, and death.
One of the key themes of the poem is love. Stevenson explores the power of love to transcend the limitations of time and mortality. He writes:
Love bears our hearts away from mortal things,
And, like the sunlight on the mountain's breast,
Gives a pure joy to every living thing.
Here, Stevenson suggests that love is a force that can lift us out of our mortal existence and connect us to something greater than ourselves. This theme of love as a transcendent force is a common one in romantic poetry, but Stevenson gives it his own unique twist by linking it to the natural world.
Another key theme of the poem is the relationship between humanity and nature. Stevenson portrays nature as a force that is larger and more powerful than humanity, yet also intimately connected to us:
The winds have blown their revelries abroad,
Till all the fields are hushed with listening;
The forest, too, has felt their fiery breath,
And bowed its top, lest it should wake the death
Of those fair flowers that round its foot-stool cling.
Here, Stevenson shows how nature can both celebrate and mourn the passing of life, just as humans do. This theme of the interconnectedness of humanity and nature is a recurring one in Stevenson's poetry, reflecting his belief in the unity of all things.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Louis Stevenson's Sonnet III is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. Through its powerful imagery and metaphors, the sonnet explores the themes of love, nature, and mortality. Stevenson's use of enjambment and modified rhyme scheme create a sense of unity and fluidity in the poem, while his language and poetic devices create a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world and the human experience. Ultimately, Sonnet III is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human condition and connect us to something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet III is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of the poet’s love for his beloved, and it is a perfect example of the power of words to convey deep emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this sonnet to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, saying, “Unlike are we, unlike, O princely Heart!” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the differences between himself and his beloved. The use of the word “princely” suggests that the beloved is of a higher social status than the speaker, and this difference is emphasized throughout the poem.
The first quatrain of the sonnet continues with the speaker describing the differences between himself and his beloved. He says that they are “likest yet alike, for in us both / The same strange blood runs on.” This line suggests that despite their differences, they share a common bond. The use of the word “strange” adds an element of mystery to this bond, suggesting that it is something that cannot be easily explained.
The second quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus to the speaker’s feelings for his beloved. He says, “Nay, and if mine eyes can see, / If thy lips speak truth, it is not thee / But some fair image of thee.” This line suggests that the speaker is unsure if his beloved is truly present, or if he is simply imagining her. This uncertainty adds a sense of longing to the poem, as the speaker yearns for his beloved’s presence.
The third quatrain of the sonnet continues with the theme of uncertainty, as the speaker says, “Not thou, O princely Heart, the goal / Of all my labour, all my prayer.” This line suggests that the speaker is unsure if his beloved is truly the object of his affection. He goes on to say, “Whereunto, whereunto, O soul, / Never shalt thou come, for never there / Thy foot shall tread, thy head shall rest.” This line suggests that the speaker’s love for his beloved is unattainable, as they are too different to ever truly be together.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close, as the speaker says, “Yet I am thine, thou art not mine, / Ah, lover and beloved, but love and love’s delight.” This line suggests that despite the differences between the speaker and his beloved, they are still connected by their love for each other. The use of the word “delight” adds a sense of joy to the poem, suggesting that the speaker finds happiness in his love for his beloved.
The structure of the sonnet is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. The use of iambic pentameter adds a sense of rhythm to the poem, making it easy to read and understand.
The language of the sonnet is rich and poetic, with a number of literary devices used throughout. The use of repetition in the opening line (“unlike are we, unlike”) emphasizes the differences between the speaker and his beloved. The use of metaphor in the second quatrain (“some fair image of thee”) adds an element of mystery to the poem, suggesting that the speaker’s love for his beloved is not based on reality. The use of alliteration in the third quatrain (“labour” and “prayer”) adds a sense of urgency to the poem, suggesting that the speaker’s love for his beloved is all-consuming.
In conclusion, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet III is a beautiful expression of love that explores the themes of difference, uncertainty, and connection. The structure and language of the sonnet add to its beauty, making it a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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