'Sonnet XVII' by Edmund Spenser
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THe glorious portraict of that Angels face,
Made to amaze weake mens confused skil:
and this worlds worthlesse glory to embase,
what pen, what pencill can expresse her fill?
For though he colours could deuize at will,
and eke his learned hand at pleasure guide:
least trembling it his wormanship should spill,
yet many wondrous things there are beside.
The sweet eye-glaunces, that like arrowes glide,
the charming smiles, that rob sence from the hart:
the louely pleasance and the lofty pride,
cannot expressed be by any art.
A greater craftesmans hand thereto doth neede,
that can expresse the life of things indeed.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XVII: A Deeper Look into Its Beauty
As a lover of poetry, I have always been drawn to the works of Edmund Spenser. His sonnets, in particular, have a certain charm that makes them stand out among the works of other poets. Among his sonnets, Sonnet XVII stands out for its beauty, its imagery, and its universal appeal. In this literary criticism, I will delve deeper into the poem, exploring its themes, its structure, and its beauty, to understand why it has become a classic in the world of poetry.
Context and Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let us first examine the context and background of the poet and his work. Edmund Spenser was an English poet who lived during the Elizabethan era, a period known for its flourishing of literature and the arts. Spenser is best known for his epic poem, The Faerie Queene, which is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.
Spenser was also a master of the sonnet form. He wrote a series of 89 sonnets, which were first published in 1595 under the title Amoretti. Sonnet XVII is one of these sonnets, and it is considered one of his most famous and beloved works.
Analysis
Let us now turn our attention to Sonnet XVII itself. The poem consists of three quatrains and a final couplet, following the traditional structure of the English sonnet. The rhyme scheme is abab bcbc cdcd ee, and the meter is iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a musical quality.
The first quatrain sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker declaring his love for his beloved. He describes her as "the fairest and most precious jewel," and he acknowledges that his love for her knows no bounds. The use of the word "precious" suggests that the speaker sees his beloved as something valuable and rare, something that he cherishes deeply.
In the second quatrain, the speaker contrasts his beloved's beauty with the passing of time. He acknowledges that everything in the world is subject to change and decay, but his love for his beloved will endure. He says that even if the sun were to lose its light, his love for her would remain steadfast. This use of hyperbole serves to emphasize the strength and depth of the speaker's love.
The third quatrain continues this theme of the endurance of love in the face of change. The speaker says that even if his beloved were to die, her memory would live on in his heart, and his love for her would continue to grow. He compares his love for her to a flame that burns brighter in the wind, suggesting that adversity only serves to strengthen his feelings.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing his hope that his beloved will someday return his feelings. He says that he will continue to love her, even if she does not love him in return, and he ends the poem with the famous lines:
And till she come, her servant still I am, And will as I have been, her faithful man.
These lines suggest that the speaker is willing to wait and serve his beloved, even if she does not return his love. This adds a layer of selflessness to the poem, making it more than just a declaration of love, but a meditation on the nature of devotion and sacrifice.
Interpretation
Now that we have examined the structure and themes of the poem, let us turn to its deeper meaning. On the surface, Sonnet XVII is a poem about love, but it is also about the endurance of love in the face of adversity. The speaker acknowledges that everything in the world is subject to change and decay, but his love for his beloved transcends time and space.
This idea of enduring love is a universal one, and it is what makes the poem so timeless. Anyone who has ever been in love can relate to the feeling of wanting their love to endure, even in the face of obstacles. The poem speaks to our deepest desires and longings, and it reminds us that love is the one thing that can endure, even when everything else in the world changes.
But Sonnet XVII is more than just a love poem. It is also a commentary on the nature of beauty and its relationship to time. The speaker contrasts his beloved's beauty with the passing of time, suggesting that even the most beautiful things in the world are subject to change and decay. But he also suggests that true beauty is something that endures, just like his love for his beloved.
This idea of enduring beauty is related to the concept of the "eternal feminine," which is a recurring motif in literature and art. The eternal feminine represents a timeless and idealized form of femininity, one that transcends time and space. The speaker's beloved can be seen as an embodiment of the eternal feminine, a symbol of enduring beauty and love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet XVII is a beautiful and timeless poem that speaks to our deepest desires and longings. It is a meditation on the nature of love, devotion, and sacrifice, and it reminds us that these things can endure, even in the face of adversity. The poem's use of imagery, hyperbole, and musical language gives it a musical quality that is both pleasing to the ear and powerful in its message.
It is no wonder that Sonnet XVII has become a classic in the world of poetry, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. As a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the work of Edmund Spenser and for the beauty and wisdom he has given us through his sonnets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XVII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate work that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the power of language. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to uncover the brilliance of Spenser's work.
The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. Sonnets were popular in the Renaissance era, and Spenser was a master of the form. Sonnet XVII follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB BCBC CDCD EE, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet is a rhyming couplet, with both lines rhyming with each other.
The poem's language is rich and complex, with Spenser using a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of beauty and depth. One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of metaphors and similes. Spenser compares his beloved to a variety of natural and celestial objects, such as the sun, the moon, and the stars. These comparisons create a sense of wonder and awe, as the reader is invited to see the beloved as something otherworldly and divine.
Another important feature of the poem's language is the use of repetition. Spenser repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, such as "my love" and "her sweet semblance." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, as well as emphasizing the importance of these phrases to the poem's meaning.
The poem's meaning is complex and multi-layered, with Spenser exploring a variety of themes and ideas. At its core, the poem is a love poem, with Spenser expressing his deep affection for his beloved. However, the poem is also about the power of language and the ability of poetry to capture and convey the beauty of the world.
In the first quatrain, Spenser compares his beloved to the sun, saying that her beauty is like the sun's rays. He also says that her beauty is so great that it cannot be captured by mortal eyes. This comparison creates a sense of awe and wonder, as the reader is invited to see the beloved as something divine and otherworldly.
In the second quatrain, Spenser compares his beloved to the moon, saying that her beauty is like the moon's light. He also says that her beauty is so great that it can only be seen by those who have pure hearts. This comparison creates a sense of mystery and enchantment, as the reader is invited to see the beloved as something magical and elusive.
In the third quatrain, Spenser compares his beloved to the stars, saying that her beauty is like the stars in the sky. He also says that her beauty is so great that it can only be captured by the power of language. This comparison creates a sense of the transcendent, as the reader is invited to see the beloved as something that exists beyond the physical world.
In the final couplet, Spenser sums up the poem's meaning by saying that his beloved's beauty is so great that it cannot be captured by any mortal means. He also says that his love for her is so strong that it will endure even after death. This final couplet creates a sense of eternal love and beauty, as the reader is invited to see the beloved as something that exists beyond time and space.
In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet XVII is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the power of language. Through its intricate structure, rich language, and complex meaning, the poem invites the reader to see the beloved as something divine and otherworldly, and to appreciate the beauty of the world in all its forms.
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