'Sonnet LXXXI' by Edmund Spenser
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Fayre is my loue, when her fayre golden heares,
with the loose wynd ye wauing chance to marke:
fayre when the rose in her red cheekes appeares,
or in her eyes the fyre of loue does sparke.
Fayre when her brest lyke a rich laden barke,
with pretious merchandize she forth doth lay:
fayre whe[n] that cloud of pryde, which oft doth dark
her goodly light with smiles she driues away.
But fayrest she, when so she doth display,
the gate with pearles and rubyes richly dight:
throgh which her words so wise do make their way
to beare the message of her gentle spright,
The rest be works of natures wonderment,
but this the worke of harts astonishment.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Art of Love and War in Edmund Spenser’s Sonnet LXXXI
Oh, dear reader, let me take you on a journey through the intricate world of Edmund Spenser’s poetic genius. Today, we explore the 81st sonnet, a masterpiece that embodies the complexity of love and war, and the eternal struggle between desire and duty. So, fasten your seatbelts and let’s delve into the heart of Spenser’s sonnet.
The Sonnet’s Structure and Form
Before we delve into the sonnet’s content, let’s first appreciate its structure and form. Spenser’s sonnet is composed of three quatrains and a final couplet, following the traditional Shakespearean form. However, the rhyme scheme Spenser employs is ABAB BCBC CDCD EE, which differs from the conventional Shakespearean rhyme scheme.
Moreover, the sonnet’s rhythm is a classic iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line and a rising stress on the second syllable. The sonnet’s length and meter make it a perfect vehicle for Spenser to weave his complex themes of love and war.
The Poetic Conception of Love and War
The sonnet’s first quatrain introduces the theme of love, portraying it as a consuming and overwhelming force that can lead to irrational behavior. Spenser uses hyperbolic metaphors such as “fire” and “rage” to symbolize the burning desire and passion that love evokes in a person. The first two lines read:
Fayre is my love, when her fayre golden heares
With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke;
Here, Spenser compares his lover’s hair to golden threads that dance and sway with the wind. The imagery of her hair in motion is a metaphor for the unpredictability and spontaneity of love. The hair is not bound by any rules or expectations but instead flows freely, representing the raw, unbridled emotions that love can create.
However, the sonnet’s second quatrain shifts the mood from love to war, introducing the concept of duty and responsibility. Spenser juxtaposes the beauty of his lover with the harsh realities of life, symbolized by the image of an armored knight. The knight represents the duty and honor that Spenser must uphold, even if it means sacrificing his love. The third and fourth lines read:
But fayrest she, when she with anger frowns;
And when she smyles, she makes me blest a thousand tymes:
Here, Spenser portrays the duality of love and war, where beauty can also be a source of destruction. His lover’s anger can be as powerful as a knight’s sword, and her smile can be as uplifting as a victory in battle. Spenser’s use of contrasting images reinforces the sonnet’s underlying theme of balancing love and duty, where both emotions are equally important and necessary.
The Struggle between Desire and Duty
The sonnet’s third quatrain blends both love and war, creating a conflict between desire and duty. Spenser portrays his lover as a source of temptation, a siren that lures him away from his obligations. The fifth and sixth lines read:
In her lyes wisdome's fayre sufficient fowne;
To make me give alle I have to her, and take none.
Here, Spenser acknowledges the wisdom and intelligence his lover possesses, which makes her even more desirable. He admits that he is willing to give up everything he has for her, including his duty and honor, to be with her. However, the final couplet reveals the sonnet’s ultimate resolution, where Spenser chooses duty over desire. The final two lines read:
What ever fayre or happy may befall;
Shall ne'er make me from her sweete love remove.
In these lines, Spenser acknowledges that although his duty and honor are important, he will never abandon his love for his lover. He recognizes that love and duty can coexist, and that both are necessary for a fulfilling life.
Conclusion
Edmund Spenser’s Sonnet LXXXI is a masterpiece of poetic genius, weaving the complexities of love and war into a beautifully crafted sonnet. Through his use of metaphors and imagery, Spenser portrays the duality of love and war, and the struggle between desire and duty. However, the sonnet ultimately resolves this conflict, revealing that love and duty can coexist, and that both are necessary for a fulfilling life.
So, dear reader, let us end our journey here, in the heart of Spenser’s poetic vision. Let us take with us the lessons of love and duty, and the eternal struggle between desire and responsibility. And let us appreciate, once again, the beauty and power of poetry, which can capture the essence of the human soul in just fourteen lines.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXXI 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 passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to uncover the beauty and complexity of this masterpiece.
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 period, and Spenser was one of the most famous poets of the time. Sonnet LXXXI 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, as do the second and fourth lines. The final couplet has a unique rhyme scheme of GG.
The poem's language is rich and evocative, with Spenser using a range of poetic devices to create a sense of beauty and longing. The first quatrain sets the tone for the poem, with Spenser describing the beauty of his lover's eyes. He uses the metaphor of the sun to describe their brightness, saying that they "shine like the heavens' fairest light." This comparison creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the speaker is gazing up at the stars in the night sky.
In the second quatrain, Spenser shifts his focus to the passage of time. He describes how the beauty of his lover's eyes will fade over time, just as the sun sets at the end of the day. He uses the metaphor of the "golden day" to describe the peak of his lover's beauty, and the "black night" to represent the inevitable decline. This metaphor creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, as if the speaker is mourning the loss of his lover's beauty before it has even happened.
The third quatrain continues this theme of the passage of time, with Spenser using the metaphor of the seasons to describe the changing nature of love. He compares the "spring" of his lover's youth to the "winter" of old age, saying that love must change and adapt to survive. This metaphor creates a sense of hope and resilience, as if the speaker is determined to keep his love alive despite the challenges of time.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with Spenser expressing his love and devotion to his lover. He says that even though her beauty will fade, his love will remain strong and true. He uses the metaphor of the "living record" to describe his love, saying that it will be immortalized in his poetry. This metaphor creates a sense of permanence and eternity, as if the speaker's love will live on forever.
Overall, Sonnet LXXXI is a beautiful and complex work that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. Spenser's use of metaphor and poetic language creates a sense of wonder and longing, as if the speaker is trying to capture the fleeting beauty of his lover before it fades away. The poem's structure and rhyme scheme add to its beauty and elegance, creating a sense of harmony and balance. Sonnet LXXXI is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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