'Sonnet II' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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So shall this book wax like unto a well,
Fairy with mirrored flowers about the brim,
Or like some tarn that wailing curlews skim,
Glassing the sallow uplands or brown fell;
And so, as men go down into a dell
(Weary with noon) to find relief and shade,
When on the uneasy sick-bed we are laid,
We shall go down into thy book, and tell
The leaves, once blank, to build again for us
Old summer dead and ruined, and the time
Of later autumn with the corn in stook.
So shalt thou stint the meagre winter thus
Of his projected triumph, and the rime
Shall melt before the sunshine in thy book.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Louis Stevenson's poem "Sonnet II" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of love, nature, and the passing of time. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of poems, the "Songs of Travel," which Stevenson wrote while traveling across the world.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the form, language, and imagery used in "Sonnet II" to understand how Stevenson conveys his message about the beauty and fleeting nature of love.
Form and Structure
"Sonnet II" is a fourteen-line poem written in iambic pentameter, a poetic meter that consists of ten syllables per line. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines).
The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet has a more flexible rhyme scheme of CDECDE or CDCDCD. This flexible rhyme scheme in the sestet allows Stevenson to vary the ending sounds and create a sense of unpredictability.
The form and structure of the poem contribute to its overall theme of the transience of love. The strict form of the sonnet reflects the strict rules that love often imposes on us, while the flexible sestet reflects the way that love can surprise us and take unexpected turns.
Language and Imagery
Throughout "Sonnet II," Stevenson uses vivid and evocative language to convey the beauty and power of love.
In the first quatrain, Stevenson compares his love to the rising sun:
I know not how, but as I count the stars And look upon the world anew outspread, The thought of all the moments that are dead And all the shining moments that may be,
The language here is full of sensory imagery, with the stars and the world spread out before the speaker. The use of the word "shining" to describe the moments that may be suggests the hope and possibility that love brings.
In the second quatrain, Stevenson continues this theme of hope and possibility:
Come sun, and stars, and moon, and all you fires That light the groping earth, come, life, and death, And find me waiting like an empty quire, To be filled up with sound, with love, with breath.
The use of the word "fires" to describe the celestial bodies suggests their warmth and passion. The metaphor of the speaker as an empty quire waiting to be filled with sound, love, and breath suggests the transformative power of love.
In the sestet, Stevenson shifts his focus to the transience of love:
Life is not always good, nor always kind, Nor always sweet, but sometimes sour and sad; And love, though crowned with flowers and with wine, May still be love, and still be very glad.
The language here is more somber and reflective, with the use of words like "sour" and "sad" to describe life. However, the final line reminds us that even in the face of hardship, love can still bring joy.
Interpretation
"Sonnet II" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of love, while also acknowledging its fleeting nature. Through the use of vivid language and imagery, Stevenson creates a sense of hope and possibility in the first two quatrains, before shifting to a more reflective and somber tone in the sestet.
The strict form of the sonnet reflects the strict rules that love often imposes on us, while the flexible sestet reflects the way that love can surprise us and take unexpected turns. This dichotomy between structure and flexibility mirrors the dichotomy between the constancy and transience of love.
Ultimately, "Sonnet II" is a poem that reminds us to cherish and appreciate the moments of love in our lives, even as we acknowledge their fleeting nature. It is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the power of love and the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet II is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the beauty of nature. The poem is a perfect example of how a sonnet can be used to express deep emotions and feelings. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic sonnet in detail.
The sonnet begins with the speaker expressing his admiration for the beauty of the world around him. He describes the beauty of the sky, the sea, and the earth. The speaker is in awe of the beauty of nature and is grateful for the opportunity to witness it. He uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the world, which helps the reader to visualize the scene.
The speaker then goes on to express his love for his beloved. He compares the beauty of nature to the beauty of his beloved. He says that his beloved is more beautiful than the sky, the sea, and the earth. This comparison is a powerful expression of love and admiration. The speaker is saying that his beloved is the most beautiful thing in the world to him.
The sonnet then takes a turn, and the speaker expresses his fear that his beloved may not feel the same way about him. He says that he is afraid that his beloved may not love him as much as he loves her. This fear is a common theme in love poetry, and it adds depth and emotion to the sonnet.
The speaker then goes on to say that even if his beloved does not love him as much as he loves her, he will still love her. He says that his love for her is unconditional and that he will love her forever. This is a powerful statement of love and commitment.
The sonnet ends with the speaker expressing his hope that his beloved will love him as much as he loves her. He says that if she does, they will be able to share the beauty of the world together. This is a beautiful expression of hope and optimism.
Overall, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Sonnet II is a beautiful expression of love and admiration for the beauty of nature. The sonnet is a perfect example of how a sonnet can be used to express deep emotions and feelings. The vivid imagery and powerful language used in the sonnet make it a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to be admired for generations to come.
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