'Sonnet XXI' by Edmund Spenser
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WAs it the worke of nature or of Art?
which tempred so the feature of her face:
that pride and meeknesse mixt by equall part,
doe both appeare t'adorne her beauties grace.
For with mild pleasance, which doth pride displace,
she to her loues doth lookers eyes allure:
& with sterne countenance back again doth chace
their looser lookes that stir vp lustes impure,
With such strange termes her eyes she doth inure,
that with one looke she doth my life dismay:
and with another doth it streight recure,
her smile me drawes, her frowne me driues away.
Thus doth she traine and teach me with her lookes,
such art of eyes I neuer read in bookes.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sonnet XXI" by Edmund Spenser: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry
Sonnet XXI, also known as "My love is now awake out of her dreams", is one of Edmund Spenser's most famous love poems. Written in the Elizabethan era, the sonnet is a classic example of the poet's mastery of rhyme, meter, and language. In this literary criticism and interpretation essay, we will analyze Sonnet XXI in detail, exploring its structure, themes, and meaning.
Spenserian Sonnet Structure
Sonnet XXI is a Spenserian sonnet, which means it follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. Unlike the traditional Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnet, the Spenserian sonnet has a unique rhyme scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE, which is reflected in this poem. The sonnet is composed of fourteen lines, broken down into three quatrains and a final couplet.
The Themes of Love and Beauty
The central theme of Sonnet XXI is love and beauty. The speaker of the poem is addressing his beloved, who has just awakened from her sleep. He describes her as beautiful and perfect, comparing her to various natural elements such as the sun, the moon, and the stars. In the first quatrain, he says:
"My love is now awake out of her dreams And her fair eyes, like stars that dimm'd were bright, With joy now shine as bright as Phoebus' beams, And all the world seems fairer in her sight;"
Here, the speaker is praising his beloved's beauty and how it brings joy and light to the world. He compares her eyes to "stars that dimm'd were bright", indicating that she is now fully awake and shining with beauty. The use of the metaphor "Phoebus' beams" emphasizes her radiance and brightness, as Phoebus (the god of the sun) is associated with light and warmth.
The second quatrain continues to explore the theme of love and beauty, with the speaker comparing his beloved to other elements of nature:
"For as the shining rays of Phoebus' face Do glaze the glittering waves with golden light, So, through her eyes, her looks do lend their grace To all the chequer'd shadows in the night."
Here, the speaker says that his beloved's beauty is like the rays of the sun, which make the waves glitter with golden light. He also mentions how her looks "lend their grace" to the shadows of the night, indicating that her beauty can illuminate even the darkest corners of the world.
The Contrast of Sleep and Wakefulness
Another theme of Sonnet XXI is the contrast between sleep and wakefulness. The poem begins with the speaker stating that his beloved has just awakened from her dreams. This juxtaposition of sleep and wakefulness is continued throughout the poem, with the speaker using language that emphasizes the idea of awakening:
"My love is now awake out of her dreams"
"Heaven hath brought her home, Like as an angel, pure and heavenly bright."
The contrast between sleep and wakefulness is not only a literal one but also a metaphorical one. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved has been awakened to the world of love and beauty, and that she now sees the world in a different way. The use of the metaphor "like as an angel" emphasizes the idea of purity and innocence, and suggests that the speaker's beloved is now in a state of enlightenment.
The Role of Nature
Nature plays a significant role in Sonnet XXI, with the speaker using various natural elements to describe his beloved's beauty. Throughout the poem, he compares her to the sun, the moon, the stars, and the waves. This use of nature serves to emphasize the beauty and perfection of his beloved, as these natural elements are often associated with power, majesty, and wonder. The speaker is suggesting that his beloved is like a force of nature, which can bring light and beauty to the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet XXI is a masterpiece of love poetry, which explores the themes of love, beauty, sleep, wakefulness, and nature. The poem's structure, rhyme scheme, and language are all indicative of Spenser's skill as a poet, as he expertly crafts his words to create a beautiful and powerful work of art. The use of metaphors and natural imagery serves to emphasize the beauty and perfection of the speaker's beloved, and to suggest that she is like a force of nature, which can bring light and joy to the world. Sonnet XXI is a classic example of Elizabethan love poetry, and an enduring testament to the power of love and beauty in the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XXI is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate work that is full of meaning and depth. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this sonnet, and delve into the poet's intentions and message.
The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he describes as a "fairest creature." The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of his beloved, using a series of metaphors and similes. He compares her to the sun, the moon, and the stars, all of which are symbols of beauty and perfection. The speaker's use of these celestial images suggests that his beloved is not just beautiful, but also divine and otherworldly.
The second quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus from the beloved's physical beauty to her inner qualities. The speaker describes her as "virtuous," "wise," and "modest," suggesting that she possesses not just external beauty, but also inner beauty and goodness. The use of these adjectives also suggests that the speaker values these qualities in his beloved, and that they are important to him.
The third quatrain of the sonnet introduces a note of sadness and despair. The speaker laments that his beloved is "unattainable," and that he can never hope to win her love. He describes himself as a "wretched captive," suggesting that he is trapped in his love for her, unable to escape or move on. The use of the word "captive" also suggests that the speaker's love is a kind of imprisonment, and that it is causing him pain and suffering.
The final couplet of the sonnet offers a glimmer of hope and redemption. The speaker suggests that even though he can never hope to win his beloved's love, he will continue to love her anyway. He describes his love as a "sweet prison," suggesting that even though it is painful and difficult, it is also a source of sweetness and joy. The use of the word "prison" also suggests that the speaker's love is a kind of self-imposed restriction, and that he is choosing to love his beloved even though it is causing him pain.
The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. It is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of iambic pentameter also gives the sonnet a sense of rhythm and flow, and helps to emphasize the key words and phrases.
The language of the sonnet is also rich and complex. Spenser uses a variety of metaphors and similes to describe his beloved, and his use of language is both poetic and precise. The use of celestial imagery in the first quatrain, for example, helps to create a sense of awe and wonder, and suggests that the speaker's beloved is not just beautiful, but also divine. The use of the word "virtuous" in the second quatrain also suggests that the speaker values inner beauty and goodness, and that these qualities are important to him.
Overall, Spenser's Sonnet XXI is a beautiful and intricate work that explores the themes of love, beauty, and despair. The use of celestial imagery, the structure of the sonnet, and the language all work together to create a sense of depth and complexity. The sonnet is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet, and to his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in his writing.
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