'Sonnet LXXVII' by Edmund Spenser
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Was it a dreame, or did I see it playne,
a goodly table of pure yvory:
all spred with iuncats, fit to entertayne,
the greatest Prince with pompous roialty.
Mongst which there in a siluer dish did ly,
twoo golden apples of vnualewd price:
far passing those which Hercules came by,
or those which Atalanta did entice.
Exceeding sweet, yet voyd of sinfull vice,
That many sought yet none could euer taste,
sweet fruit of pleasure brought from paradice:
By loue himselfe and in his garden plaste.
Her brest that table was so richly spredd,
my thoughts the guests, which would thereon haue fedd.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXVII: A Love Poem of Timeless Beauty
Introduction
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXVII is a timeless love poem that has stood the test of time. Written in the late 16th century, this sonnet expresses the poet's deep love and admiration for his beloved. The poem is part of a larger collection of sonnets titled "Amoretti," which chronicles the poet's courtship of his beloved Elizabeth Boyle. In this essay, we will explore the themes of love, time, and art in Sonnet LXXVII and analyze how Spenser's use of literary devices enhances the beauty and meaning of the poem.
Analysis
The sonnet opens with the speaker addressing his beloved and saying, "Thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain." The "gift" and "tables" refer to the tablets or notebooks that were commonly used during the Renaissance to record thoughts and ideas. The speaker, therefore, is saying that his beloved's words and thoughts have become a part of him, and he remembers them as if they were written on the tablets of his own mind. This image of the beloved's words becoming a part of the speaker's being sets the tone for the poem and establishes the depth of the speaker's love.
The speaker then goes on to say that his beloved's words are "full of high-sounding phrases." This line suggests that the beloved has a way with words and speaks in a grand, eloquent manner. However, the speaker also acknowledges that the beloved's words are not just empty rhetoric, but are "skill'd in musick's sweetest powers." This line implies that the beloved's words are not just beautiful to listen to, but are also meaningful and have the power to move the listener emotionally.
The next few lines of the sonnet introduce the theme of time. The speaker says that he has "heard thy music, like the ocean heard." This line suggests that the beloved's words are as vast and timeless as the ocean, and that the speaker has been listening to them for a long time. However, the speaker also acknowledges that time is fleeting and that the beloved's words cannot be captured or held onto forever. He says, "Time's glory is to calm contending kings, / To unmask falsehood, and bring truth to light." Here, the speaker is saying that time has the power to reveal what is true and to expose what is false, but that it also has the power to soothe conflicts and bring peace.
The final quatrain of the sonnet returns to the theme of the beloved's words becoming a part of the speaker's being. The speaker says that his beloved's words are "engrafted in my heart." This line implies that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just fleeting, but has become a part of him and will endure. The speaker also says that his beloved's words are "so engraven in my thought" that they have become a part of his very being. This line suggests that the speaker's love for his beloved is not just a passing fancy, but is a deep and abiding love that has taken root in his soul.
The final couplet of the sonnet brings together the themes of love, time, and art. The speaker says, "Then do thy office, Muse; I teach thee how / To make him seem, long hence, as he shows now." Here, the speaker is saying that he will use his skill as a poet to immortalize his beloved's beauty and wisdom. The speaker recognizes that time is fleeting and that his beloved's words cannot be captured or held onto forever, but through the power of art, he can preserve his beloved's wisdom and beauty for future generations to appreciate.
Interpretation
Sonnet LXXVII is a love poem that explores the themes of time, love, and art. The poem expresses the speaker's deep love and admiration for his beloved, and his desire to preserve her beauty and wisdom for future generations. The poem also acknowledges the fleeting nature of time and the power that time has to reveal what is true and to expose what is false.
One of the key literary devices that Spenser uses in this sonnet is imagery. Spenser uses vivid imagery to convey the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. For example, the image of the beloved's words becoming a part of the speaker's being is a powerful metaphor for the depth of the speaker's love. Spenser also uses imagery to convey the theme of time. The image of the ocean, for example, suggests the vastness and timelessness of the beloved's words.
Another literary device that Spenser uses in this sonnet is allusion. The reference to "skill'd in musick's sweetest powers" is an allusion to the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, who was said to have the power to charm the gods with his music. By alluding to this myth, Spenser is suggesting that his beloved's words have a similar power to move the listener emotionally.
Finally, Spenser uses the sonnet form itself as a literary device. The sonnet is a highly structured form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. By using this form, Spenser is able to create a sense of order and balance in the poem that reflects the speaker's love for his beloved.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXVII is a timeless love poem that explores the themes of time, love, and art. Through his use of literary devices such as imagery, allusion, and the sonnet form, Spenser is able to enhance the beauty and meaning of the poem. The poem expresses the speaker's deep love and admiration for his beloved, and his desire to preserve her wisdom and beauty for future generations. Sonnet LXXVII is a testament to the enduring power of love and art, and a reminder that even in the face of time's passing, beauty and wisdom can be preserved for all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXVII is a classic example of the beauty and complexity of the sonnet form. This poem is a part of his larger work, Amoretti, which is a collection of 89 sonnets that chronicle his courtship and eventual marriage to his wife, Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet LXXVII is a particularly interesting poem because it explores the theme of time and its effects on love. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to understand why it has become a timeless classic.
The poem 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, and the meter is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This strict structure allows Spenser to convey his message in a concise and powerful way.
The first quatrain sets the tone for the poem by introducing the theme of time. Spenser writes, "Faire is my love, when her faire golden haires, / With the loose wynd ye waving chance to marke: / Faire when the rose in her red cheekes appeares, / Or in her eyes the fyre of love does sparke." Here, Spenser is describing the physical beauty of his love and how it is affected by the passing of time. He notes that her golden hair looks beautiful when it is blowing in the wind, and her rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes are also stunning. However, he acknowledges that these physical attributes will not last forever.
In the second quatrain, Spenser continues to explore the theme of time and its effects on love. He writes, "Faire when her brest, lyke a rich laden ship, / With pretious merchandize she forth doth lay: / Faire when that cloud of pryde, which oft doth trip, / By temp'ring, temperance doth take away." Here, Spenser is describing his love's inner beauty and how it is not affected by time. He compares her to a ship that is full of precious cargo, which represents her virtues and good qualities. He also notes that her pride, which can sometimes be a negative trait, is tempered by her self-control and moderation. This suggests that her inner beauty is more important than her physical beauty.
The third quatrain takes a more philosophical turn as Spenser reflects on the nature of time and its effects on love. He writes, "Faire when she speakes, and sweete when she does sing, / Yet will she erre (ay me) in her speeche, / And erre (ay me) in her song she will: / Yet faire, and sweete, and erring, shall beare the bell." Here, Spenser acknowledges that his love is not perfect and will make mistakes, but he still finds her beautiful and sweet. He suggests that even though time may cause her physical beauty to fade and her flaws to become more apparent, her inner beauty will always shine through.
The final couplet brings the poem to a satisfying conclusion as Spenser reaffirms his love for his wife. He writes, "And in her smile, her grace, and womanly cheare, / Have I the Phoenix' found in her faire fire." Here, Spenser is saying that his wife's smile, grace, and feminine charm are like the mythical Phoenix, a bird that is reborn from its own ashes. He has found a new kind of beauty in her that transcends physical appearance and is eternal.
In terms of language, Spenser uses a variety of poetic devices to enhance the poem's meaning and beauty. For example, he uses alliteration in the first line ("faire golden haires") and in the third line ("rose in her red cheekes") to create a musical quality to the poem. He also uses personification in the second line ("loose wynd ye waving") to give the wind a human quality. Additionally, he uses imagery throughout the poem to paint a vivid picture of his love's physical and inner beauty.
In conclusion, Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXVII is a timeless classic that explores the theme of time and its effects on love. Through its strict structure, beautiful language, and powerful imagery, Spenser conveys a message that is both philosophical and romantic. He suggests that even though physical beauty may fade and flaws may become more apparent, true love is eternal and can transcend time. This poem is a testament to the power of the sonnet form and the enduring nature of love.
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