'Sonnet LXVII' by Edmund Spenser


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Lyke as a huntsman after weary chace,
Seeing the game from him escapt away:
sits downe to rest him in some shady place,
with panting hounds beguiled of their pray.
So after long pursuit and vaine assay,
when I all weary had the chace forsooke,
the gentle deare returnd the selfe-same way,
thinking to quench her thirst at the next brooke.
There she beholding me with mylder looke,
sought not to fly, but fearelesse still did bide:
till I in hand her yet halfe trembling tooke,
and with her owne goodwill hir fyrmely tyde.
Strange thing me seemed to see a beast so wyld,
so goodly wonne with her owne will beguyld.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Eloquent Beauty of Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXVII

Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXVII is a masterful piece of poetry that has captivated readers for centuries. This sonnet's beauty lies in its eloquence, the intricacy of its rhyme scheme, and the depth of its meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used by Spenser in this remarkable poem.

The Overview

Sonnet LXVII is part of a larger sequence of sonnets, published as "Amoretti" by Edmund Spenser in 1595. The poem is written in the traditional sonnet form, consisting of fourteen lines with a strict rhyme scheme of ABABBCBCCDCDEE. The poem's meter is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with emphasis on every other syllable.

The poem's central theme is love and the agony of separation. Here, Spenser portrays the pain of being away from a loved one, the longing for their return, and the inevitability of their eventual reunion.

The Analysis

The poem opens with the speaker addressing his lover directly, saying, "Lyke as a huntsman." The imagery of the huntsman is significant because it suggests that the speaker is on the hunt for his lover. The speaker compares himself to a hunter who has lost his prey and is now searching for it, and his lover is the prey that he desperately seeks.

In the second line, the speaker compares his lover to a "roebucke." The use of the roebucke as a metaphor is interesting because it can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, the roebucke could represent the lover's beauty and grace. On the other hand, the roebucke could represent the lover's vulnerability, making them an easy target for the speaker's love.

The third and fourth lines describe the speaker's pursuit of his lover. The speaker describes himself as "tired with toyle," suggesting that he has been on this hunt for a long time and is becoming weary. However, he is determined to find his lover, and he will not stop until he has succeeded.

In the fifth and sixth lines, the speaker describes the pain of being away from his lover. He says that the separation is like "a ship farre off." The ship metaphor represents the distance between the speaker and his lover. The speaker is on one shore, and his lover is on the other. They are separated by the vast expanse of the ocean, and the speaker longs for his lover to come back to him.

In the seventh and eighth lines, the speaker describes the longing for his lover's return. He says that the separation is like "an hidden eyre," which means a secret place. The speaker longs for his lover to return and be with him in this secret place where they can be alone together.

In the ninth and tenth lines, the speaker describes the inevitability of their reunion. He says that his lover will eventually return to him, just as the ship will eventually reach the shore. The use of the word "must" suggests that this reunion is inevitable and cannot be avoided.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines, the speaker describes the moment of their reunion. He says that it will be like "the birdes of ravyne," which means birds of prey. This metaphor suggests that their reunion will be passionate and intense, like the way birds of prey swoop down on their prey.

In the final two lines, the speaker concludes by saying that their love is stronger than any obstacles that may come their way. He says that their love will endure, and they will always be together.

The Significance

Sonnet LXVII is significant because it is a beautiful and eloquent expression of the pain of separation and the longing for reunion. The poem's structure and rhyme scheme are precise and intricate, adding to the poem's beauty and elegance. The use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, bringing the poem to life and making the reader feel the speaker's pain and longing.

Furthermore, the poem's message is timeless and universal. Anyone who has experienced the pain of separation and the longing for reunion can relate to this poem. The poem speaks to the human condition and the universal experience of love and loss.

The Conclusion

Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXVII is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Its beauty, eloquence, and depth of meaning continue to captivate readers to this day. The poem's central theme of love and the agony of separation is universal and timeless, speaking to the human condition and the universal experience of love and loss.

In conclusion, Sonnet LXVII is a remarkable work of literature that deserves to be studied, analyzed, and appreciated by generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Edmund Spenser's Sonnet LXVII 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 mortality. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and meaning to understand why it has become such a beloved piece of literature.

Firstly, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. Sonnet LXVII follows the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each quatrain exploring a different aspect of the poem's central theme. The final couplet serves as a conclusion to the poem, summarizing the speaker's thoughts and feelings.

The language used in Sonnet LXVII is rich and evocative, with Spenser using a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of beauty and depth. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery. Spenser employs a range of metaphors and similes to describe the beauty of his beloved, comparing her to a range of natural phenomena such as the sun, the stars, and the ocean. This creates a sense of awe and wonder, as the speaker marvels at the beauty of the woman he loves.

Another key feature of the poem's language is its use of repetition. Spenser repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, the phrase "sweet season" is repeated twice in the first quatrain, emphasizing the speaker's delight in the arrival of spring. Similarly, the word "beauty" is repeated several times throughout the poem, highlighting the central theme of the poem.

Now let's turn to the meaning of Sonnet LXVII. At its core, the poem is a celebration of love and beauty. The speaker is deeply enamored with his beloved, and he uses the language of poetry to express his feelings. He describes her as a "heavenly creature" and compares her to a range of natural phenomena, emphasizing her beauty and grace.

However, there is also a sense of melancholy and mortality in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that beauty is fleeting, and that even the most beautiful things in life must eventually come to an end. He notes that the "sweet buds" of spring will eventually wither and die, and that even the stars in the sky will one day fade away. This creates a sense of bittersweetness in the poem, as the speaker celebrates the beauty of his beloved while also acknowledging the transience of life.

Overall, Sonnet LXVII is a beautiful and complex work of poetry that explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality. Its use of rich language and vivid imagery creates a sense of wonder and awe, while its structure and repetition create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. It is a testament to Spenser's skill as a poet, and it continues to captivate readers to this day.

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