'Sonnet LXXXIX' by Edmund Spenser
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LYke as the Culuer on the bared bough,
Sits mourning for the absence of her mate;
and in her songs sends many a wishfull vew,
for his returne that seemes to linger late.
So I alone now left disconsolate,
mourne to my selfe the absence of my loue:
and wandring here and there all desolate,
seek with my playnts to match that mournful doue
Ne ioy of ought that vnder heauen doth houe,
can comfort me, but her owne ioyous sight:
whose sweet aspect both God and man can moue,
in her vnspotted pleasauns to delight.
Dark is my day, whyles her fayre light I mis,
and dead my life that wants such liuely blis.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sonnet LXXXIX" by Edmund Spenser: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you fond of reading sonnets? Do you appreciate the beauty and depth of classical poetry? If yes, you must have heard of Edmund Spenser, the Elizabethan poet who wrote "The Faerie Queene" and "Amoretti." In this article, we'll delve into one of his lesser-known works, "Sonnet LXXXIX," and explore its themes, imagery, structure, and language.
The Poem
Before we proceed, let's read the poem in its entirety:
"Lyke as the Culver, on the bared bough,
Sits mourning for the absence of her mate;
And in her songs sends many a wishful vow
For his returne, that seemes to linger late:
So I alone, now left disconsolate,
Mourne to myselfe the absence of my Love;
And wandring here and there all desolate,
Seek with my plaints to match that mournful dove:
Ne joy of ought that under heaven doth hove,
Can comfort me, but her owne joyous sight
Whose sweet aspect both God and man can move,
In her unspotted pleasauns to delight.
Dark is my day, whiles her fayre light I misse,
And dead my life that wants such lively blisse."
The Themes
At first glance, "Sonnet LXXXIX" appears to be a lamentation of love-sickness. The speaker, who is assumed to be Spenser himself, compares his state of mind to that of a mourning dove who longs for her mate to return. He says that he too is left disconsolate without the presence of his beloved and wanders aimlessly, seeking solace in his plaints. The overarching theme of the poem is the pain of separation and the longing for reunion.
However, a closer examination of the poem reveals more complex themes. One of them is the power of love as a transformative force. The speaker's love for his beloved is so intense that it affects every aspect of his life, rendering him unable to find joy or comfort in anything else. He considers his beloved's sweet aspect to be capable of moving both God and man, implying that love has the ability to transcend human boundaries and touch the divine.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the contrast between light and darkness. The speaker describes his life as "dead" without the "lively blisse" of his beloved's "fayre light." This contrast between life and death, light and darkness, reflects the speaker's belief that his beloved's presence is essential for his well-being and happiness.
The Imagery
Spenser's use of imagery is one of the most striking features of the poem. He employs the image of a mourning dove to convey the speaker's sense of loss and longing. The dove, a symbol of love and fidelity, is often associated with mourning in literature. Its mournful cooing is a universal symbol of sadness and melancholy. By using this image, Spenser effectively conveys the depth of the speaker's emotions.
Another image that appears in the poem is that of light and darkness. The speaker describes his beloved's presence as a "lively blisse" and a "sweet aspect." This imagery not only evokes a sense of beauty and radiance but also implies that the speaker's life is incomplete without his beloved's light. The contrast between light and darkness is a recurring motif in literature, and Spenser employs it effectively to convey the speaker's emotional state.
The use of the phrase "unspotted pleasauns" to describe the beloved's demeanor is also worth noting. This phrase not only suggests purity and innocence but also implies that the beloved is without any blemish or fault. Spenser's use of this phrase highlights the perfection of the speaker's beloved and strengthens the idea that her presence is necessary for his happiness.
The Structure
"Sonnet LXXXIX" follows the traditional structure of an Elizabethan sonnet. It consists of fourteen lines, with a rhyming scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. The first twelve lines describe the speaker's state of mind, while the final couplet serves as a conclusion or resolution to the sonnet. This structure is a hallmark of Spenser's sonnets and is an example of his mastery of the form.
The Language
Spenser's use of language in "Sonnet LXXXIX" is marked by his characteristic style of archaic language and poetic diction. He employs words like "ne" instead of "nor" and "ought" instead of "anything." This language is typical of Elizabethan poetry and adds to the overall ambiance of the poem.
One notable feature of the language used in the poem is its use of personification. The dove is personified as mourning for her mate, while the speaker's plaints are described as seeking to match the dove's mournful song. This use of personification adds depth and meaning to the imagery employed in the poem.
Conclusion
"Sonnet LXXXIX" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the depth of human emotions. Spenser's use of imagery, structure, and language is masterful, and his themes of love, separation, and transformation resonate with readers even today. The poem is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple and evocative language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXIX is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is part of a larger collection of sonnets called Amoretti, which was published in 1595. The Amoretti is a sequence of 89 sonnets that chronicle Spenser's courtship of his future wife, Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet LXXXIX is one of the most famous sonnets in the collection, and it is a beautiful example of Spenser's poetic style.
The sonnet is written in the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.
The first quatrain of the sonnet sets the scene and establishes the theme of the poem. Spenser describes a beautiful woman who is walking in a garden. He compares her to a rose, which is a common metaphor for beauty in poetry. He also describes her as being "fresh and fair," which emphasizes her youth and vitality. The first quatrain ends with a question, "But who is this? What Mayden doe I see," which shows Spenser's curiosity and interest in the woman.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues to describe the woman and her beauty. Spenser compares her to a lily, which is another common metaphor for beauty. He also describes her as being "sweet and lovely," which emphasizes her charm and attractiveness. The second quatrain ends with another question, "Is this the Rosalind, whose heauenly lyre," which shows Spenser's admiration for the woman and his desire to know her better.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a turn and becomes more introspective. Spenser begins to question his own worthiness to be with the woman. He describes himself as being "rude and rusticke," which emphasizes his own shortcomings. He also describes the woman as being "heauenly rare," which emphasizes her superiority. The third quatrain ends with a plea, "Vouchsafe then, O thou most Almightie Spright," which shows Spenser's humility and his desire for divine intervention.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close and resolves the theme. Spenser asks for the woman's forgiveness for his own shortcomings and promises to love her forever. He says, "And let her know my griefe, and painfull smart, / Which her faire eyes hath wrought in my poore heart." The final couplet shows Spenser's sincerity and his willingness to be vulnerable in his love for the woman.
Overall, Sonnet LXXXIX is a beautiful example of Spenser's poetic style. The sonnet is full of metaphors and imagery that emphasize the beauty of the woman. The poem also shows Spenser's introspection and humility, as he questions his own worthiness to be with the woman. The final couplet brings the poem to a close and resolves the theme, showing Spenser's sincerity and vulnerability in his love for the woman. Sonnet LXXXIX is a classic piece of poetry that continues to inspire and move readers today.
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