'Sonnet LXXXVII' by Edmund Spenser
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SInce I did leaue the presence of my loue,
Many long weary dayes I haue outworne:
and many nights, that slowly seemd to moue,
theyr sad protract from euening vntill morne.
For when as day the heauen doth adorne,
I wish that night the noyous day would end:
and when as night hath vs of light forlorne,
I wish that day would shortly reascend.
Thus I the time with expectation spend,
and faine my griefe with chaunges to beguile,
that further seemes his terme still to extend,
and maketh euery minute seeme a myle.
So sorrow still doth seeme too long to last,
but ioyous houres doo fly away too fast.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Criticism of Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXVII
Are you looking for a sonnet that expresses love in a powerful and poetic way? Look no further than Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXVII. This classic poem, written in the early 16th century, is a masterful example of the power of language to express deep feelings and emotions.
Analysis of the Sonnet
Sonnet LXXXVII is a Petrarchan sonnet, a form of poetry popularized by Francesco Petrarch in the 14th century. The poem consists of 14 lines, divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme follows the pattern ABABABCC in the octave and CDEEDC in the sestet.
The poem's theme is love, specifically the speaker's love for his beloved. The poem opens with the speaker questioning his beloved's worthiness: "Since I did leave the presence of my love, / Many long weary days I have outworn." The speaker acknowledges that he has been separated from his beloved for a long time, and that his days have been "weary" without her.
The octave then shifts focus to the beloved, whom the speaker compares to various precious items: "Many nights, that thing which I have supposed / When day hath closed, in darkness did me close, / But if I have my mistress' presence missed, / In darkness and in fears, my hopes be crossed." The speaker compares his beloved to "gold or jewels," suggesting that she is precious and valuable to him.
However, the sestet moves away from the idea of the beloved's worthiness and instead focuses on the speaker's devotion to her: "But if that flower with base infection meet, / The basest weed outbraves his dignity: / For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; / Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds." The speaker acknowledges that his beloved is not perfect and may have some "base infection," but that even in her imperfection, she is still more valuable to him than anyone else.
Interpretation
At its core, Sonnet LXXXVII is a poem about the power of love to transcend flaws and imperfections. The speaker acknowledges that his beloved is not perfect, but he loves her anyway. This idea is encapsulated in the final two lines of the poem: "For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; / Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds." The speaker is suggesting that even the most beautiful and valuable things can become corrupted, but that the love between him and his beloved is strong enough to withstand any flaws or imperfections.
There is also an interesting play on language and imagery in the poem. The speaker compares his beloved to "gold or jewels," suggesting that she is valuable and precious. However, he also acknowledges that she may have some "base infection," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for flaws or imperfections. This creates an interesting contrast between the two ideas - on one hand, the beloved is valuable and precious, but on the other hand, she may not be perfect.
The poem's use of imagery also contributes to its overall message about the power of love. The speaker compares his beloved to various valuable items, such as gold and jewels, but then shifts to a metaphor about flowers: "Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds." This metaphor suggests that even the most beautiful and valuable things can become corrupted or spoiled, but that love can still transcend these flaws.
Criticism
Sonnet LXXXVII has received significant praise over the years for its beautiful language and powerful message about love. However, some critics have also pointed out potential flaws in the poem.
One criticism is that the poem may be too idealistic in its portrayal of love. The speaker acknowledges that his beloved may not be perfect, but he still loves her anyway. While this is a beautiful sentiment, some critics argue that it doesn't accurately reflect the complexities of real relationships. Real love often involves accepting flaws and imperfections, but it also requires work and effort to overcome challenges and conflicts.
Another criticism is that the poem may be overly focused on the speaker's feelings and emotions, rather than on the beloved herself. The octave of the poem is primarily focused on the speaker's own experiences, while the sestet shifts to a more general discussion of the beloved's flaws and imperfections. While the poem is certainly a powerful expression of the speaker's love, some critics argue that it doesn't provide a full picture of the relationship between the two characters.
Conclusion
Overall, Sonnet LXXXVII is a powerful and beautiful poem that explores the nature of love and its ability to transcend flaws and imperfections. While some critics have pointed out potential flaws in the poem's idealistic portrayal of love and its focus on the speaker's emotions rather than on the beloved herself, there is no denying the beauty and power of its language and imagery. If you're looking for a classic poem that expresses love in a poetic and powerful way, Sonnet LXXXVII is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXVII is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and intricate work that showcases the poet's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex emotions through his words. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he refers to as "my love." He tells her that he has been thinking about her constantly, even when he is supposed to be sleeping. He says that her image is always present in his mind, and he cannot escape her thoughts. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the power of love and its ability to consume the mind and soul.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing the physical effects of his love for his beloved. He says that his heart is constantly beating faster when he thinks of her, and that his body is consumed with a burning passion. He compares his love to a fire that cannot be extinguished, no matter how hard he tries. This stanza is particularly powerful, as it conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the all-consuming nature of love.
The third stanza takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker reflecting on the nature of love itself. He says that love is not something that can be controlled or tamed, but rather it is a force that takes hold of us and guides us. He compares love to a ship that is at the mercy of the wind and the waves, and says that he is powerless to resist its pull. This stanza is a beautiful meditation on the power of love and its ability to shape our lives.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing his hope that his love will be reciprocated. He says that he will continue to love his beloved, no matter what happens, and that he will always be faithful to her. He ends the poem with a beautiful couplet that sums up the entire work: "And till that time my love shall ne'er decay, / Till the great ocean washeth it away."
One of the most striking things about this poem is its structure. It is a classic sonnet, with fourteen lines and a strict rhyme scheme (abab bcbc cdcd ee). The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, and the strict structure allows the poet to convey his ideas in a concise and powerful way. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line, also adds to the musicality of the poem and gives it a sense of flow and movement.
The language used in the poem is also worth noting. Spenser was a master of language, and his use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in this work. The comparison of love to a fire, a ship, and an ocean all serve to convey the power and intensity of the speaker's emotions. The use of alliteration and assonance also adds to the musicality of the poem, and the repetition of certain phrases (such as "my love") serves to reinforce the central theme of the work.
In terms of themes, Sonnet LXXXVII is a meditation on the power of love and its ability to consume the mind and soul. The speaker is completely consumed by his love for his beloved, and he cannot escape her thoughts even when he is supposed to be sleeping. The poem also touches on the nature of love itself, and how it is a force that cannot be controlled or tamed. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a note of hope, as the speaker expresses his faithfulness to his beloved and his hope that his love will be reciprocated.
In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXVII is a beautiful and powerful work of poetry that has stood the test of time. Its strict structure, musical language, and powerful imagery all serve to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the all-consuming nature of love. It is a work that speaks to the heart and soul, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful way.
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