'Sonnet XXXVIII' by Edmund Spenser
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ARion, when through tempests cruel wracke,
He forth was thrown into the greedy seas:
through the sweet musick which his harp did make
allu'rd a Dolphin him from death to ease.
But my rude musick, which was wont to please
some dainty eares, cannot with any skill,
the dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease,
nor moue the Dolphin from her stubborne will,
But in her pride she dooth perseuer still,
all carelesse how my life for her decayse:
yet with one word she can it saue or spill,
to spill were pitty, but to saue were prayse.
Chose rather to be praysd for dooing good,
then to be blam'd for spilling guiltlesse blood.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XXXVIII: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XXXVIII is one of the most exquisite pieces of love poetry ever written. The sonnet, which is part of his epic work, "Amoretti," is a beautiful expression of the poet's love for his beloved, Elizabeth Boyle. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and elements of this classic sonnet, examining its language, structure, and imagery.
Overview of Sonnet XXXVIII
Sonnet XXXVIII, like all sonnets, is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and a predetermined structure. This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABABBCBCCDCDEE.
The poem is addressed to the poet's beloved, Elizabeth Boyle, and it begins with a question: "What guyle is this, that those her golden tresses, / She doth attyre under a net of gold." In this question, the poet wonders why his beloved would hide her beautiful hair under a net of gold. He then goes on to answer his own question by saying that it is because she knows that he loves her hair and wants to keep it for himself.
The sonnet then takes a turn towards the end, with the poet expressing his ultimate desire to possess his beloved completely. He says that he wants to be the one who decides what she wears and how she looks. He wants to be her master and have complete control over her, including her thoughts and emotions.
Analysis of Language and Imagery in Sonnet XXXVIII
One of the most striking features of Sonnet XXXVIII is its beautiful language and imagery. The sonnet is full of rich metaphors and vivid descriptions that bring the poem to life.
For example, in the first line of the sonnet, the poet describes his beloved's hair as "golden tresses." This metaphor not only describes the color of her hair but also suggests its beauty and value. The use of the word "golden" implies that her hair is as precious as gold.
The poet then goes on to describe how his beloved attires her hair "under a net of gold." This metaphor not only suggests that his beloved is hiding her hair but also implies that she is protecting it from others who might want to possess it.
The sonnet is also full of sensory imagery that appeals to the reader's senses. For example, in the third line, the poet describes his beloved's eyes as "crystalline streams." This metaphor not only describes the color of her eyes but also suggests their clarity and purity.
The use of sensory imagery is also evident in the description of the poet's desire to possess his beloved completely. He says that he wants to be the one who "decketh her in garments gay" and "makes her the mistress of his passion." These vivid descriptions not only suggest his desire to possess her physically but also emotionally and intellectually.
Themes and Symbols in Sonnet XXXVIII
Sonnet XXXVIII is a complex poem that explores a variety of themes and symbols. Some of the main themes of the sonnet include love, desire, possession, and control.
The sonnet is a love poem that expresses the poet's intense love and admiration for his beloved. He describes her beauty in great detail and expresses his desire to possess her completely. However, this desire for possession is also a symbol of the male dominance and control over women that was prevalent during the Renaissance period.
In the sonnet, the poet describes his beloved's hair as a symbol of her beauty and value. He suggests that her hair is so precious that she needs to hide it under a net of gold to protect it from others. This symbolizes the male desire to possess and control women's bodies and sexuality.
Similarly, the poet's desire to be his beloved's master and control her thoughts and emotions is also a symbol of the patriarchal society in which he lived. The idea that a man should have complete control over a woman's life was a common belief during the Renaissance period.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet XXXVIII is a masterpiece of love poetry that explores a variety of themes and symbols. The sonnet is full of rich language and imagery that bring the poem to life. The poet's intense love and desire for his beloved are evident throughout the sonnet, but so too are the themes of possession and control that were prevalent in Renaissance society. This sonnet is a classic example of the complex and multifaceted nature of love poetry, and it continues to be admired and studied by scholars and lovers of poetry alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XXXVIII is a classic example of the Elizabethan sonnet form, with its 14 lines of iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. However, what sets this sonnet apart from others of its time is its exploration of the theme of love and its ability to transcend time and space.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he describes as "sweet love" and "dear life." He then goes on to describe the physical distance that separates them, saying that "the seas between us both have roared." This line not only emphasizes the distance between the two lovers but also the tumultuous nature of the ocean, which can be seen as a metaphor for the obstacles that stand in the way of their love.
The speaker then goes on to say that despite this distance, his love for his beloved has not diminished. He says that "my love adorns and sanctifies the place / Wherein thou art, engraved upon my heart." Here, the speaker is saying that his love for his beloved has become a part of him, and that no matter where he is, he carries that love with him.
The next few lines of the sonnet are particularly interesting, as the speaker begins to explore the idea of time and its effect on love. He says that "time's cruel hand hath severed us in twain," acknowledging that time has caused them to be separated. However, he then goes on to say that "yet shall my love to thee, like steadfast pine, / Clasp thee about, and hold thee to my heart." Here, the speaker is saying that even though time may have separated them physically, his love for his beloved is so strong that it will endure through time and hold them together.
The final lines of the sonnet are perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker declares that "so long as heaven and earth endure, / So long shall this, my love, continually endure." Here, the speaker is saying that his love for his beloved is not bound by time or space, but rather is eternal and will endure as long as heaven and earth exist.
Overall, Sonnet XXXVIII is a beautiful exploration of the theme of love and its ability to transcend time and space. The use of metaphors, such as the ocean and the steadfast pine, add depth and richness to the poem, while the rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter give it a musical quality that is both pleasing to the ear and helps to emphasize the poem's themes.
In conclusion, Sonnet XXXVIII is a classic example of the Elizabethan sonnet form, but what sets it apart is its exploration of the theme of love and its ability to endure through time and space. The use of metaphors and the musical quality of the poem make it a joy to read and a testament to the enduring power of love.
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