'Sonnet LXXXII' by Edmund Spenser
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Ioy of my life, full oft for louing you
I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed:
but then the more your owne mishap I rew,
that are so much by so meane loue embased.
For had the equall heuens so much you graced
in this as in the rest, ye mote inuent
som heuenly wit, whose verse could haue enchased
your glorious name in golden moniment.
But since ye deignd so goodly to relent
to me your thrall, in whom is little worth,
that little that I am, shall all be spent,
in setting your immortall prayses forth.
Whose lofty argument vplifting me,
shall lift you vp vnto an high degree.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet LXXXII by Edmund Spenser: A Journey Into Love and Time
As I sit down to analyze and interpret Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXII, I cannot help but marvel at the beauty and depth of this classic piece of poetry. Written in the late 16th century, Spenser's sonnet is a vivid representation of the English Renaissance period, characterized by a renewed interest in the classical world and a fascination with love, beauty, and time.
At its core, Sonnet LXXXII is a meditation on the nature of time and how it affects our perceptions of love and beauty. Spenser explores the idea that time, like a ruthless thief, steals away the beauty and youth of those we love, leaving us with nothing but memories and regrets. He begins by describing the passage of time in terms of the changing seasons, a metaphor that sets the tone for the entire poem:
Ioy of my life, full oft for louing you I blesse my lot, that was so lucky placed: But then the more your owne mishap I rew, That are so much by so meane loue embased.
For had the equall heuens so much you graced In this as in the rest, ye might inuade My thoughts with pride, and Dayntie to be praised. But leauing loftie things, what euer weare: Sithes onely she doth all my senses please, And I in her more liue, then liuing men: Helpe then (sweet Loue) her Praises to resound, Which in her Sex doth all excell, And euen in Vertue, as it seemes, doth mend And meanees set in the middest to excell.
The opening lines of the sonnet are addressed to the poet's lover, whom he refers to as the "joy of my life." He expresses his gratitude for having been lucky enough to love her, but also laments the fact that her beauty is fleeting and subject to the ravages of time. He contrasts her beauty with the constancy of the heavens, which remain the same despite the passing of the seasons.
Spenser then goes on to describe his lover's virtues, praising her for her excellence in all things, even in virtue itself. He acknowledges that she is not a lofty or proud person, but rather someone who excels in the midst of mediocrity. He calls on love to help him sing her praises and honor her for the exceptional person she is.
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues Spenser's meditation on the nature of time and its effects on love. He compares the passage of time to a thief that steals away the beauty and youth of the one he loves:
Giue leaue to me to honor and applaude That Sunne, that may with his beames disperse Dark clouds of Error from our mistie daies: And let me liue in loue this loue to loue, And hate that hate, that would vs both disseuere; And but of you, no other helpes to craue. But when my carefull heart hath marked all, What hath, and is, and all the worthinesse, Which doth enrich that noble fayre, Loathing the drosse, that doth but filthinesse, I greedie long to worke her further wealth, And load her, worldes of happinesse and heath.
He suggests that time is the great equalizer, reducing everyone to a state of mediocrity and stealing away their beauty and youth. He implores his lover to allow him to honor and praise her while she is still young and beautiful, before time has a chance to rob her of these qualities.
The final quatrain of the sonnet is a call to action, as Spenser urges his lover to resist the passage of time and strive for greatness in all that she does. He encourages her to embrace her virtues and work to improve herself, rather than succumbing to the mediocrity that time imposes on us all:
Thus my loue sloues, thus my loue burnes bright, And for his honor will not be disswaded, That ye may still the same for euer hold, Ne other losse, nor feare ye dread a blight. So whilest our Sunne doth guide vs through the world, And whilest the houres of day and night are told, Let vs embrace the fauourable light, And tune our loue, we lasting peace may find, And time may cease, and worldly care exile, And Ioyne our liues in one, that may outshine The heauy world, and all her huge compyle.
In the final lines of the sonnet, Spenser reaffirms his commitment to his lover and calls on her to do the same. He suggests that by embracing their love and striving for greatness together, they can transcend the limitations imposed by time and the world around them.
Overall, Sonnet LXXXII is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and time, and the ways in which they intersect and influence one another. Spenser's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, as he compares the passage of time to the changing seasons and a thief that steals away our youth and beauty. He also praises his lover for her virtues and encourages her to strive for greatness, even in the face of the limitations imposed by time and the world around us.
As I reflect on this classic piece of poetry, I can't help but wonder how Spenser's message still resonates today, in our modern world of fast-paced living and constant distraction. How often do we take the time to appreciate the people we love, and to honor their beauty and virtues while they are still with us? And how often do we succumb to the mediocrity of time, allowing it to rob us of the things that make life worth living? These are the questions that Sonnet LXXXII inspires me to consider, and I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with such a timeless piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXII is a classic example of the sonnet form, with its fourteen lines and iambic pentameter meter. This poem is part of Spenser's larger work, The Faerie Queene, which is a complex allegory that explores themes of virtue, morality, and the struggle between good and evil. In this sonnet, Spenser uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey a sense of loss and despair, as well as the hope that comes from the promise of redemption.
The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the loss of his beloved, who has been taken from him by death. He describes her as "the fairest creature in the world," and laments that she has been "snatched away" from him. The use of the word "snatched" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sudden and violent separation, as if the speaker's beloved has been torn away from him against her will.
The second quatrain of the poem continues this theme of loss and despair, as the speaker describes the world as a "waste of woe" without his beloved. He compares his grief to a "stormy sea," suggesting that his emotions are turbulent and overwhelming. The use of the word "waste" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of emptiness and futility, as if the world has lost its meaning without the speaker's beloved.
However, the poem takes a hopeful turn in the third quatrain, as the speaker begins to contemplate the possibility of redemption. He describes his beloved as having "gone to heaven," and suggests that she is now "a star among the stars." This image of the beloved as a star is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of transcendence and immortality. The speaker also suggests that his own grief may be a means of purifying his soul, as he describes it as a "sacred vow" that he has made to his beloved.
The final couplet of the poem brings together these themes of loss and redemption, as the speaker suggests that his beloved's death has given him a new perspective on life. He describes himself as having been "blind" before, but now he sees the world in a new light. The use of the word "blind" is significant, as it suggests a sense of ignorance or naivety, as if the speaker had been unaware of the true nature of the world before his beloved's death. However, the poem ends on a hopeful note, as the speaker suggests that his beloved's death has given him a new sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Overall, Sonnet LXXXII is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. Spenser's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of emotional intensity that is both compelling and deeply affecting. The poem's hopeful conclusion suggests that even in the face of tragedy, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.
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