'Sonnet LXXIX' by Edmund Spenser
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MEn call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
For that your selfe ye dayly such doe see:
but the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit,
and vertuous mind is much more praysd of me.
For all the rest, how euer fayre it be,
shall turne to nought and loose that glorious hew:
but onely that is permanent and free
from frayle corruption, that doth flesh ensew.
That is true beautie: that doth argue you
to be diuine and borne of heauenly seed:
deriu'd from that fayre Spirit, from whom al true
and perfect beauty did at first proceed.
He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made,
all other fayre lyke flowres vntymely fade.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into "Sonnet LXXIX" by Edmund Spenser
It is not uncommon for great poets to write works that are not only beautiful in form but also profound in meaning. Edmund Spenser’s “Sonnet LXXIX” is one such example. This sonnet is a masterpiece of literary expression, combining beautiful language with intricate symbolism to create a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating.
Overview
“Sonnet LXXIX” is part of Spenser’s “Amoretti” sonnet sequence, which is a collection of 89 sonnets. The sequence was published in 1595 and is considered one of Spenser’s most significant works. The sonnets are believed to have been written over a period of several years, and they tell the story of Spenser’s courtship of Elizabeth Boyle, whom he eventually married.
The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of abab bcbc cdcd ee. It consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. Each quatrain presents a different metaphor for the speaker’s love, while the couplet provides a summing up of the ideas presented in the earlier stanzas.
Analysis
The sonnet begins with the quatrain:
Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
For that your selfe ye dayly such doe see:
But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit,
And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.
The speaker addresses his lover, acknowledging that she is considered beautiful by others. However, he distinguishes between physical beauty and the “gentle wit” and “virtuous mind” that he values more highly. The use of the word “trew” emphasizes the speaker’s belief in the superiority of inner qualities over outer appearances.
In the second quatrain, the speaker continues to praise his lover’s inner qualities:
For all the rest, how euer fayre it be,
Shall turne to nought and loose that glorious hew:
But onely that is permanent and free
From frayle corruption, that doth flesh ensew.
Here, the speaker suggests that physical beauty is fleeting and will eventually fade. However, inner beauty is “permanent and free” from the corruption of the flesh. This idea is echoed in the third quatrain:
That is true beautie: that doth argue you
To be diuine, and borne of heauenly seed:
Deriu’d from that fayre spirit, from whom al true
And perfect beauty did at first proceed.
The speaker suggests that inner beauty is a sign of divinity, and that his lover is “derived from that fayre spirit” from which all true beauty originates. This idea is reminiscent of Platonic philosophy, which holds that physical beauty is an imperfect reflection of an ideal, perfect beauty.
The final couplet brings the sonnet to a close:
He onely fayre, and what he fayre hath made:
All other faire, lyke flowers, untymely fade.
The speaker sums up his argument by stating that God is the only true source of beauty, and that everything else will eventually fade away. This final couplet also serves to reinforce the idea that physical beauty is transient and fleeting.
Interpretation
“Sonnet LXXIX” is a celebration of inner beauty over physical beauty. The speaker suggests that physical beauty is fleeting and ultimately unimportant. Instead, he values the “gentle wit” and “virtuous mind” of his lover, which he believes are signs of divinity.
The sonnet also has strong religious overtones. The speaker suggests that God is the only true source of beauty, and that everything else is merely an imperfect reflection of that beauty. This idea is similar to the Platonic concept of the Forms, which holds that physical objects are mere copies of ideal, perfect forms that exist in the realm of the divine.
Overall, “Sonnet LXXIX” is a powerful meditation on the nature of beauty and the value of inner qualities over outer appearances. It is a testament to Spenser’s skill as a poet, as well as his ability to express complex ideas in a way that is both beautiful and accessible.
Conclusion
“Sonnet LXXIX” is one of Spenser’s most significant works, and for good reason. It is a masterpiece of literary expression, combining beautiful language with profound ideas about the nature of beauty and the value of inner qualities over outer appearances. By celebrating the “gentle wit” and “virtuous mind” of his lover, Spenser creates a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXXIX is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is part of the Amoretti, a collection of 89 sonnets written by Spenser in the late 16th century. The Amoretti is a sequence of poems that tells the story of the poet's courtship of his beloved, Elizabeth Boyle. Sonnet LXXIX 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 form, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form allows Spenser to explore his theme in a structured and organized way, while also giving him the freedom to express his emotions and ideas.
The first quatrain of the sonnet sets the scene and introduces the theme of the poem. Spenser begins by describing the beauty of his beloved's eyes, which he compares to the stars in the sky. He uses the metaphor of the stars to convey the idea that his beloved's eyes are bright and shining, and that they light up his world. The use of this metaphor is significant because it shows how Spenser views his beloved as a source of light and hope in his life.
In the second quatrain, Spenser continues to explore the theme of the poem by describing the effect that his beloved's eyes have on him. He says that when he looks into her eyes, he feels as though he is transported to a different world. He uses the metaphor of a ship sailing on the sea to convey this idea. The ship represents his emotions, and the sea represents his beloved's eyes. This metaphor is significant because it shows how Spenser views his beloved as a source of inspiration and guidance in his life.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a different turn, as Spenser begins to express his fears and doubts about his relationship with his beloved. He says that he is afraid that his beloved's eyes will lose their brightness and become dull and lifeless. He uses the metaphor of a fire that burns out to convey this idea. The fire represents his love, and the fear of it burning out represents his fear of losing his beloved. This metaphor is significant because it shows how Spenser views his beloved as a fragile and precious thing that he must protect and cherish.
In the final couplet of the sonnet, Spenser resolves his fears and doubts by reaffirming his love for his beloved. He says that even if his beloved's eyes were to lose their brightness, he would still love her just as much. He uses the metaphor of a diamond that shines even in the darkness to convey this idea. The diamond represents his love, and the darkness represents the fear and doubt that he has expressed in the previous quatrain. This metaphor is significant because it shows how Spenser views his love for his beloved as something that is strong and enduring, even in the face of adversity.
Overall, Sonnet LXXIX is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that explores the theme of love and the fear of losing the beloved. Spenser's use of metaphors and imagery is masterful, and it allows him to convey his emotions and ideas in a way that is both structured and expressive. The sonnet is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet, and it is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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